Connecting patients with their loved ones

Using new ways to keep families and COVID-19 patients connected due to hospital visiting restrictions is increasingly important.

Below are practical examples from staff that demonstrate compassionate care.

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Give and Go services ensures patients continue to receive supplies | from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Creative writing and gardening | from Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian

Comfort pebbles | from an initiative between Love on the Rocks UK, Liz Searle CEO Keech Hospice Care and the HospiceUK team

vCreate videos of critically ill patients now available on adult wards | from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Matching hearts to help grieving families | from South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust

Ward 'Rainbow boxes' for essential items | from NHS Lothian

Alternative ways to say farewell | from the Marie Curie terminal illness care charity

Updated deathbed etiquette guide | from The Art of Dying Well at St. Mary's University, London

When death comes unexpectedly | from University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Canada

Writing a letter with the end in mind | from Dr Kathryn Mannix

Re-uniting families with person centred virtual visiting | from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Donated ipads and tablets ensure patients can 'stay in touch' | from the Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian

Managing phone calls when families are unable to visit patients | from Bradford Royal Infirmary, UK

Enabling emotional connections – the Knitted Hearts appeal | Nationwide across UK

Saying last goodbyes | from an Intensive Care Unit in Detroit, USA