RUHX is thrilled to have secured over £100k in funding from The Liz and Jack Daniel Foundation for the Compassionate Companions Service at the Royal United Hospitals (RUH) Bath, which supports patients in their last days of life.
Patients will continue to receive additional care from the Compassionate Companions Service for the next three years, thanks to The Liz and Jack Daniel Foundation. The service was originally set up in 2019 as a joint partnership between RUHX, RUH’s Palliative Care Team and Dorothy House Hospice Care, where volunteers offer support, compassionate listening, comfort and companionship for hospital patients in the last days or hours of their lives.
On Monday 4 July, Trustees from The Liz and Jack Daniels Foundation had the opportunity to meet the RUH’s Palliative Care Team, Dorothy House Hospice Care and the Compassionate Companions volunteers, to hear more about the impact this service will continue to have thanks to their substantial funding.
Helen Meehan, Lead Nurse, Palliative Care and End of Life Team said: “The Compassionate Companions Service is making an exceptional difference to patient care. Sometimes it is the little things, the small acts of kindness, the holding of a hand, the words of comfort, and being present that give so much support to those nearing end of life and to their loved ones. It also gives families the chance for some respite during what is an emotionally and physically exhausting time.
“Caring for those nearing end of life is one of the most important things that we do in hospitals, and we only get one chance to get it right. We are so grateful to The Liz and Jack Daniel Foundation for their funding which has enabled us to continue this invaluable service.”
Cara Charles-Barks, Chief Executive of the RUH said: “We are so proud to be working collaboratively with our Palliative Care Team and Dorothy House Hospice Care to provide this incredibly important service, and we are so grateful to our charity, RUHX and The Liz and Jack Daniel Foundation for enabling this integral service to continue. It’s due to kindness and generosity of our community coming together to support our patients and their families during the most difficult time.”
Milo Popperwell, Trustee for The Liz and Jack Daniel Foundation said: “We are delighted to be able to fully fund such an important project in our first year as a Trust. Death is often something we don’t want to think about, but we all have to face. By providing the funding for this service we hope to offer reassurance to patients and their loved ones that there will be a compassionate companion there to hold their hand and provide support in their final days. I know that both Liz and Jack would be so pleased to be a part of something so special.”