Hospital room for relatives of patients receiving treatment for life-threatening conditions gets a makeover

22 June 2017

A hospital room used for delivering news to relatives of patients receiving treatment for severe and life-threatening illnesses and injuries has been transformed into a comfortable space.

Not happy for concerned relatives of patients on the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) to be delivered updates and difficult news in a clinical and uninviting room, Healthcare Assistant Sue Price took it upon herself to give the room a makeover.

Much of the funding for the transformation has come from donations from families who have used the room in the past.

Sue, who is also one of the Trust’s End of Life Champions, said: “The room was very bleak and not a nice place to take relatives into at what can often be a very difficult time.

“With the support of my managers I made it my mission to give the room a makeover and I am thrilled with how it now looks. I ripped up the floor tiles and replaced them with new laminate, painted the walls a bright blue colour, hung curtains over the windows, introduced soft furnishings such as cushions and placed a lovely painting on the wall.

“We have named the room the ITU Suite and although the purpose of the room hasn’t changed I am delighted that relatives are now able to have difficult conversations in a much more comfortable and welcoming environment.”

Before finalising the project Sue got feedback from families who have previously used the room.

She added: “I felt it was really important to get feedback from those who have first-hand experience of what it is like to be sat in that room with a Doctor, especially as some helped fund the project with generous donations. I was delighted when they told me they loved it and said it would make a huge difference to people going forward.”

Corrin Dorsett, Ward Manager on ITU at RSH, said: “The room looks fabulous and will ensure we are able to offer the kindest care possible to relatives and their families.

“Sue has worked incredibly hard on this project. She never gave up when things got tough and should be incredibly proud of what she has achieved. She lived the Trust Values throughout the transition – she Made It Happen, she is obviously very Proud To Care, the whole reason for her transforming the room was because she Values Respect and I am pleased to say that Together We Achieved.”