Award for hospital's end-of-life carer

A Churchstoke woman who has been instrumental in improving end-of-life care and support for patients and their relatives at Shropshire’s acute hospitals has been honoured with the Trust’s Chairman’s Award.

Jules Lewis, End of Life Care Facilitator, was presented with the award at the latest Board meeting of The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) after being nominated by her colleagues.

The Chairman’s Award is presented to highly deserving individuals who reflect the values of SaTH and the NHS as a whole, with a clear commitment to Putting Patients First.

Sarah Bloomfield, Director of Nursing and Quality, said: “Every day our staff help our patients and their families at difficult times, and there is no time that is more difficult than when a patient approaches the end of their life.

“Death and dying is very difficult to deal with, even for staff who work in hospitals, but helping patients and their families at their time of greatest need is hugely important to us. It is a privilege to care for people at end of life and support their relatives and friends. We only have one chance to get it right.

“Jules joined the Trust in 2014 and in just a couple of years she has made huge strides in the care we provide in this hugely important area which is a priority for the Trust and last year was highlighted as needing improvement in a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report.”

Since joining SaTH, Jules has overseen the implementation of the Swan Scheme to represent end of life and bereavement care. The Scheme has seen all Wards issued with Swan Boxes and useful contents, as well as a white plastic bag with the swan logo and a leaflet.

It is for patients who are supported by an end of life plan and represents dignity in end of life care throughout the Trust summed by the phrase “one chance to get it right, every patient every time”.

Jules also oversaw the £1.89million refurbishment of our Mortuary at RSH to improve dignity for friends and relatives and the working environment for staff.

The new Swan Bereavement Suite, officially opened in December 2015, has transformed the suite and mortuary facilities, which had remained relatively unchanged since the 1970s.

Improvements include two new “Swan” rooms for families to say goodbye to loved ones, as well as a “Cygnet” room for children. The new facilities incorporate the Swan Scheme.

The rooms include comfortable furniture and specially chosen artwork, to create a calming environment. Other improvements include a Bereavement Garden, where people can take time to reflect in.

Jules also organised a hugely successful sold out end of life care conference last year – which was such a success that a second will take place later this year.

And last but not least Jules has also set up the Swan Fund, which will be used to support the end of life care we provide. This was a particularly poignant moment for Jules as she donated £500 to set-up the fund, from donations at her father’s funeral. More than £4,000 has now been raised.

Sarah added: “Jules embodies all of our Trust Values but in particular Proud To Care – for the sensitive way she helps our patients and their relatives at such an incredibly difficult time.

“She also personifies the Value Make It Happen for the way, in such a short time, that she has made really meaningful improvements to our end of life care provision.

“Jules is tremendously caring, incredibly personable and entirely dedicated. She has our patients and their relatives at her heart and we’re proud that she is a member of the SaTH Team.”

Jules was presented with her award, which includes a certificate, Chairman’s Award badge and a £50 gift voucher, at Welshpool Town Hall by Trust Chairman Peter Latchford.

She said: “To receive this award is an absolute privilege. End of life care is so important because we only get one chance to get it right.”

 Pictured:

1.Beryl Lewis (mum), Jules Lewis and Scott Gerrard (husband) at Welshpool Town Hall.

2. Jules Lewis receives her award from Trust Chairman Peter Latchford.