NHS hospitals in North Midlands remember colleagues lost to COVID with memory trees
Reflective gardens and ‘memory trees’ installed at hospitals in the North Midlands to mark the death of colleagues and loved ones during COVID.
The tree contains the names of those who have died in the past year.
The reflective gardens will offer staff at Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent, and County Hospital in Stafford, a place to spend their breaks in quiet contemplation. Five staff members have passed away due to COVID-19 and their names have been engraved on the commemorative trees.
The trees have been created by the University Hospitals of North Midlands, NHS Trust (UHNM).
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Online entertainment apps
The charity is also funding free online entertainment and media services for patients via the SPARK media platform. Services include TV, radio, film, games, newspapers, magazines and access to the NHS videos and therapy apps. It will be available on phones and tablets when the platform goes live.
Lisa Thomson, director of communications and charity at UHNM, said: “The coronavirus pandemic has been continually stressful every day for more than a year, for patients, their families and our staff. UHNM’s charity has been well-supported through the goodwill of the public, so we wanted to use some funds to help make things a little easier for everyone who stays, visits or works here. The memory trees in the reflective gardens will hopefully bring some comfort to staff as they remember colleagues and loved ones.”
She added: “We know that during the pandemic, patients have suffered greatly from having little or no contact with their families and friends, so being able to speak to them via video calls is a boost to morale,” said Thomson. “By providing free WiFi and now with new media services being made available, these entertainment options can help pass the time in hospital and aid patient recovery.”
SPARK media
WIFI SPARK is a leading provider of commercial WiFi and media working with over 300 hospitals across more than 80 NHS Trusts and health boards.
Dean Moody, chief commercial officer at WiFi SPARK, said: “Charities are an invaluable part of NHS trusts, and UHNM’s is providing some great ideas for patients and staff. The past year has been incredibly difficult for many people, so any services that aid patient recovery or make staff working conditions a bit easier have to be welcomed. We are pleased to be part of that philosophy at UHNM.”
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