New day room on Saturn Ward at Great Western Hospital enhances patient and family experience

Patients and families at Great Western Hospital are benefiting from a newly transformed day room on Saturn Ward, funded by community donations through Brighter Futures.

Led by Ward Manager Nicola Lennon, the project converted an unused storage area into a welcoming environment for patients and their loved ones to gather away from the bedside.

Brighter Futures funded new furniture, including a dining table, chairs, and comfortable seating, creating a dignified setting to support patient independence and recovery.

The new day room significantly improves patient experience, offering a place to sit up, enjoy meals at a table, and socialise—all crucial for maintaining independence and reducing deconditioning.

Nicola Lennon described the space's positive impact, saying, "It promotes independence, encourages social interaction, and supports recovery in a really positive way."

The room also provides families a vital area for gathering, reflecting, and receiving updates in a more private and supportive environment.

Aligning with the Trust’s commitment to compassionate, family-centred care, the space ensures relatives feel supported during challenging times.

Fully funded through charitable donations to Brighter Futures, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's hospital charity, the project exemplifies the powerful role of community support.

Catherine Weaver, Associate Director of Charitable Funds at Brighter Futures, emphasized the project's impact, stating, "By enhancing spaces like this, we can improve wellbeing, dignity, and recovery for patients, while also supporting their families."

The transformation serves to promote patient independence and mobility, reduce deconditioning, encourage social interaction, and provide a welcoming environment for families.

Such initiatives underscore charitable funding's capacity to surpass NHS budget constraints, delivering enhanced care experiences.

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