The Emergency Department (ED) at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) was recently paid a visit by Wigan Warriors captain Liam Farrell, who donated furniture to help renovate their ED Family Room.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, plans were put in place by the ED team to create a more welcoming and calming space for the team to hold crucial but difficult conversations with friends and families about their loved ones in the most critical of times.
Due to the pandemic, these plans were put on hold, however once the opportunity arose again to create the new space, Liam kindly donated furniture to help create a more homely space for patients’ families and friends.
Year 10 pupils from Shevington High School also donated three pieces of specially designed artwork that will be hung on the walls of the renovated room.
One of WWL’s Healthcare Assistants in ED and Bereavement Lead for the Emergency Care Centre (ECC), Jenny Watson facilitated this along with ECC Clinical Educator, Nicola Holmes by contacting the school with a lesson plan, teaching pupils about bereavement and showing them how they could create pieces of art on canvas which would, along with Liam’s donation, create a more calming and comforting environment.
Jenny spoke on all the hard work that has gone into the renovation commenting: “All of my colleagues on ED should be immensely proud of the work that has gone in to creating this consoling space for patients’ relatives and friends.
“It has been amazing to work with the pupils at Shevington High School and we’ve really valued having the support from Liam.”
During his visit to the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Liam spoke on why he decided to get involved with the renovation saying: “It was a couple of years ago now, I was doing my testimonial year at Wigan Warriors and I wanted to do some charity work with someone and I wanted to stay local.
“With my sister working at the hospital, she put me in contact with staff in the ED and together we have made a facility that families can come and use, somewhere for them to be comfortable in.
“I’m really happy with the outcome, to just see the room and the students come down and put their artwork up, it’s going to be great for everyone who uses the room.”
Gemma Burrows, Matron of ED thanked both Liam and the school for their kind support and commented on the difference this will make saying: “We’re all incredibly grateful to both Liam and the pupils at Shevington High School for helping us create our improved ED Family Room.
“We have many difficult conversations on our department with friends and relatives and many people will experience some of the most difficult days of their lives with us.
“We wanted to do anything we could to make those moments and experiences as comforting and calming as possible, starting with the environment. With the new furniture and artwork we have been able to make this become a reality.
“I am so proud that we have been able work with our local community to improve our patients and relatives experience whilst in the ED.”