A major redevelopment of facilities used to care for people after they have died is helping ensure dignity for them and their loved ones.
Poignant during National Grief Awareness Week (2nd to 8th December), the Southend Hospital’s mortuary has doubled in size to provide improved facilities for staff and families – and the modern, bigger and more comfortable space made with The Dandelion Suite, will allow grieving families to be able to spend time with their loved one.
Not only has there been an increase in size, but this viewing area has also had new furniture put in – allowing families to spend final, precious moments together in a suitable and soothing space. There is now enough room to make sure the hospital can continue to offer the same level of care into the future, due to the £8.5 million capital investment expansion.
Mortuary Manager at Southend Hospital, Louise Rice, explained how the improvements are already helping families at one of the most difficult times in their life.
She said: “These are hugely improved facilities, for both staff and patients, and anything that can help make this time easier for families is very important.
“It shows the hospital’s continued respect and dignity for our patients at the end of their lives and their bereaved relatives, supporting high-quality healthcare in our mortuary.
“We now have extra parking spaces, meaning families can drive directly to the Dandelion Suite, without needing to walk through the main hospital. It may sound like a small thing, but just being able to directly go to their loved one will make a huge difference to those families who come here, as will the more comforting surroundings of The Dandelion Suite.”
