Nurse cues up fun for patient
Caringhospiceteamcreatepoolhall
A student nurse from Stirling University has helped Strathcarron Hospice make a patient’s dream come true.
Nursing and midwifery student Danielle McLean was on a placement at the Denny hospice recently when she took the initiative to help staff bring some outside life into the hospice for the young man.
Coleena Brodie of the Strathcarron fundraising team said: “A young gentleman who was staying with us had mentioned his love of playing pool with his mates, enjoying a pint and some banter as young lads do.
“Unfortunately his condition meant he wasn’t well enough to join his friends at the pool hall. However, when Danielle heard that there used to be a pool table in our daycare unit an idea started to germinate.
“She took it upon herself to track down the table with the help of our maintenance team. Once it was located and cleaned up the rest of the plan began to come together.”
Staff from different areas of the hospice then worked together to create a surprise for their visitor.
A sitting room on the ward was blacked out to keep everything secret and the team set to work creating the hospice’s own temporary pool hall. Then, with the help of the patient’s family, the young man’s friends were invited to join him for a few pints and games of pool.
Coleena added: “A special evening of pool, pints, banter and memories followed as the patient enjoyed time with his friends and a little bit of normality.
“Yet again a little bit of Strathcarron magic took place. We listened, we cared and we made it happen.”
Just a few weeks before the hospice created a private screening room so one female patient, who had wanted a simple date night at the cinema could watch her favourite film Mamma Mia with her husband.
Coleena added: “Unfortunately, due to her illness going to the cinema was out of the question, but our team are not a bunch who give up easily. The IT staff set up the screen, the maintenance staff and domestics blacked out the windows and added lovely romantic touches, and the medical staff ensured the patient’s comfort.
“A date night with a partner is something we perhaps take for granted but it’s the simple pleasures that make life a little more bearable when living with a terminal illness. This lady had a wonderful evening.
“Working together, the team do our best to make every moment count for our patients and their families, but we couldn’t do all that we do without the help of our friends and supporters in the community, so we would like to thank everyone for helping to make these moments possible.”