Hospital opens 'blossom room' for end-of-life care

The new room opened for its first patient on Tuesday

A hospital has unveiled a new room designed to provide a comfortable space for patients receiving end-of-life care.

The "blossom room", located on the Shand Ward of Bedford Hospital, was officially opened on Tuesday and welcomed its first patient on the same afternoon.

The idea was inspired by Jane Arnold in memory of her father Barry Gilbert, who was able to spend time with him during his last days in May 2020 - albeit in a small, plain room.

The Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said the new room would make a considerable difference to the environment of patients and their relatives.

Jane Arnold fundraised for the project after the death of her father Barry in 2020

The private room features a blossom-themed sky panel, TV, pink furnishings and a reclining bed-chair for relatives to stay close by.

Ms Arnold, who lives in Witney near Oxford, learned about the concept of a "blossom room" after she spent almost two weeks in a room that was "stark and without comfort", while her father received palliative care.

She told BBC Three Counties Radio she went home briefly to "stretch out" due to a bad back, caused by the room's plastic chair.

"During that time, he deteriorated. They phoned me and I didn't get back in time to say the final farewell," said Ms Arnold.

The private room features a blossom-themed sky panel, pink furnishings and a reclining bed-chair for relatives

She raised funds over the last four years to help create a more comforting environment for others in similar situations.

The project was delivered by Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Charity.

Ms Arnold said after the official opening: "The room looks absolutely fantastic, and I know that it will bring great comfort to both the patient and those who find themselves having to say goodbye to their loved ones."

Annie Tucker, blossom service coordinator at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Charity, said: "We are always looking for ways to enhance patient care and relatives' experience for our end-of-life patients, and the 'blossom room' does exactly that."

The hospital charity said it hoped to create more rooms like this for patients in future.