Supporting End-of-life Care at Mount Gould Hospital
At Mount Gould Hospital in Plymouth, specialist end-of-life care teams are helping patients and families through some of life's most difficult moments.
Thanks to support from Plymouth Hospitals Charity, two simple but powerful additions - the Sofia sleeper chairs and a BigMack communication device - are making those moments more comfortable, meaningful and dignified.
A Place to Stay Together
The new Sofia sleeper chairs have been introduced into the end-of-life rooms on Kingfisher and Skylark wards. By day, they provide a comfortable armchair for loved ones to sit close to the person they care about. By night, they transform into a bed, allowing family members to stay alongside patients when every minute together matters.
For many families, having the opportunity to hold a hand, share memories or simply be present during those final hours brings enormous comfort.
Staff have already seen the difference the chairs are making.
Instead of trying to rest in an upright chair or leaving the ward to find somewhere more comfortable, relatives can now remain close by, knowing they don't have to miss a precious moment.
The chairs have been such a success that the team want more. Giorgie Burlacu is Ward Manager at Skylark Ward:
“Patients and relatives love these chairs; it means loved ones can stay here in comfort and be right next to those they love all the time. We are so grateful to Plymouth Hospitals Charity’s donors and fundraisers for providing these. They make a real difference, so we have some more on order!”
Watch this video to learn more about the Sofia Chairs
In end-of-life care, being able to say, "I stayed with them until the very end," can mean everything. Thank you for helping to make this possible.
Supporting Communication with BigMack
Communication can become incredibly difficult for patients nearing the end of their lives. Some lose their strength, while others are unable to speak due to illness or treatment.
The BigMack communication device is helping to bridge that gap. The simple one-button device can record a message chosen by the patient or their family, allowing someone with limited speech to communicate important thoughts and wishes.
It might be something practical, such as asking for a drink or requesting pain relief. But it can also be something deeply personal – saying "I love you", "thank you", or simply letting a family member know they are there.
Giorgie says it’s been a great help for patients and staff:
“We had a lady with limited mobility who was anxious that she couldn’t use the call bell and so wouldn’t be heard if she needed help. This device put her mind at rest and meant that she could relax whilst she was with us. It also helped reassure her family that she would be heard. She had a voice.”
Watch this video to see the BigMack device in use!
Making Difficult Days a Little Easier
Mount Gould's end of life service was created to offer patients a calmer, quieter and more personal environment away from the busy acute hospital setting. The wards provide specialist care and support for patients and their loved ones during the final days of life, with the focus firmly on dignity, comfort and compassion.
The Sofia chairs and BigMack device may seem like small additions, but they represent something much bigger. They are helping families stay together, creating opportunities for meaningful conversations and ensuring that, even in the most difficult circumstances, patients remain comfortable, connected and heard.
Help us support more projects that enhance end-of-life care for future patients and their families at Mount Gould. Donate to care at end-of-life today or start fundraising. Thank you.