Fiona
“Theatre buddy” was introduced at Wishaw General Hospital in June 2017, with the aim of enabling carers to support their loved one if they require a surgical procedure.
Carers are able to accompany their loved one to theatre and stay with them right up until they receive anaesthesia and “go to sleep”; they can then meet them in the recovery room immediately after surgery.
Yvonne Jeffrey with her mum, Mary, and Corinne Barrett, trauma Liaison Nurse Practitioner
A new ‘Theatre Buddy’ trolley has also been introduced. This contains items that can help people with dementia to keep calm. Things like stress balls and twiddle muffs. We also have iPods with songs from their favourite era and a theatre purse if they would like to take small precious objects, like jewellery, with them into the theatre.
This approach is proven to be beneficial for both patients and carers alike; reducing confusion, upset and isolation for patients whilst carers are less anxious. This initiative is hugely beneficial during the post-recovery period which can be very confusing and disorientating for any patient. Enabling carers or relatives to provide support during this period is hugely beneficial for all.
Yvonne said: “I was so glad I could be there for my mum thanks to this wonderful initiative. My experience of being a theatre buddy was excellent and I would recommend this to anyone to help make the journey easier for their loved one.
If you have an experience of NHS Lanarkshire Services you would like to share, please speak to a member of staff, respond here on Care Opinion, or visit the “Your Feedback” Section of the NHS Lanarkshire website to see the other ways to get in touch www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk
We are Listening - to Carers and Relatives
We are Listening - to Carers and Relatives https://www.careopinion.org.uk/resources/blog-resources/23-images/2e7dc72bcd124fe6a3ca44f63a12873d.png Care Opinion 0114 281 6256 https://www.careopinion.org.uk /content/uk/images/logos/co-header-logo-2020-default.pngUpdate from NHS Lanarkshire
Posted by Fiona Cowan, Clinical Nurse Manager, Perioperative Services., NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Lanarkshire, on
About: University Hospital Wishaw / General Surgery (Wards 16-18)
Response from Cally Bowman, Support and Social Media Officer, Care Opinion on 15 Jun 2017 at 14:44
What an amazing idea, so simple but so important.
Response from Pele10 on 15 Jun 2017 at 15:17
Hi Fiona
This initiative is very encouraging and it is great to see that carers are being both recognised in relation to their caring role and supported within the hospital environment.
North Lanarkshire Carers Together is an information/campaigning organisation throughout NL and has been providing support to carers over 16 years. I was wondering if there some potential in linking our Carer Information Workers into your initiative in order to provide follow up information to carers at the point of their relative being discharged from hospital. If you would like to chat about this further I can be contacted on 01698 404055 or email me sean@carerstogether.org. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best Wishes
Sean Harkin
Carer Network Lead.