Dying Matters Awareness Week: How the SWAN model is supporting patients and relatives

As we aim to break down the stigma surrounding talking about bereavement this Dying Matters Awareness Week (13 – 19 May), Nottingham Hospitals Charity is looking at the importance of supporting patients and relatives through a nurturing model of end of life care.

The SWAN initiative was launched as a unique model of care within Nottingham’s Hospitals for any families who are identified as facing an end of life situation. The model guides staff to provide personalised care for relatives and loved ones, giving colleagues the scope and encouragement to compassionately meet their needs.

The initiative received £30,000 from generous donors who have supported Nottingham Hospitals Charity. The donation has helped to foster the development of End of Life Champions among the Palliative Care teams, who promote the needs of patients and families by ensuring their colleagues are aware of the support available to relatives when they need it most.

Colleagues are able to gently support patients and their relatives to mark occasions and special dates, and create mementos to help to build a positive memory box together. They are also able to create a comfortable environment to ensure families can spend time closely together in peaceful surroundings.

Nottingham Hospitals Charity is also privileged to support bereaved families and friends who want to raise money in memory of a loved one, in order to support an area of the hospital which was especially important to them.

A local family and bar have come together to raise funds in memory of a much-loved mum, Kathleen Hourd, during Dying Matters Awareness Week. Kath passed away at Nottingham City Hospital in April 2019 and her relatives are now holding a Vinyl Day at The Berliner bar in Beeston from 3pm to 9pm on Sunday 19 May. The event will feature the venue’s first open decks disco, as well as a charity auction as part of their fundraising ventures.

Their funds will not only benefit bereaved families and friends in Nottingham through SWAN, but will also help fund enhancements to Hogarth Ward in Nottingham City Hospital, which supports oncology patients and staff.

For more information about the family’s fundraising efforts please click here.

For more information about making a donation in memory of a loved one, please click here.