'Cuddle beds' for terminally-ill hospice patients

The beds widen to allow patients to lie next to and embrace their love ones or pets

A hospice in Guernsey has installed seven "cuddle beds" for patients with life-limiting or terminal illnesses.

The beds, which cost £17,000 each, widen to allow patients to lie next to and embrace their love ones or pets.

Les Bourgs Hospice, in St Andrews, said the beds brought "comfort, dignity, and human connection" to patients and their families.

Rob Jones, from Les Bourgs, said the beds would help with the hospice's mission to "support people at one of the most difficult times of their life".

Susie Hunt, from Guernsey Motor Neurone, said the beds would "bring so much comfort and so much relief" to people.

When Mrs Hunt's own mother died in the hospice 30 years ago, she said the "separation between you and the person you love" was "noticeable".

Her mother had not been able to see her favourite dog before she died, as they were not previously allowed in the hospice, she said.

The hospice said it had worked with Guernsey Motor Neurone and private donors including Specsavers' founder Dame Mary Perkins to raise the money for the beds.

Care manager Leticia Vermeulen said patients and family members were "blown away" by the new beds

Leticia Vermeulen, care manager at Les Bourgs, said: "Close skin-to-skin contact for family members, children and grandchildren means so much.

"The thing that people miss the most in their grieving process is having that touch... hugging people."

She said people were "blown away" by the new beds and it was "worth more than any money in the world".