Families staying with relatives receiving end-of-life care at Walsall Manor Hospital will benefit from new sleeper chairs.

The specialist chairs have been donated to Ward 2 and the Sister Dora Suite by Well Wishers, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s charity.

The Acute Palliative Care team said the chairs are as being a huge help towards enabling family members to stay comfortably by their relative’s bedside overnight during their final days.

Sheryl Meegan, End of Life Specialist Nurse Practitioner, said: “I have strived over the past 18 months to facilitate comfort to our patients’ families who are visiting around the clock.

“The sleeper chairs have been in place for around two weeks on two wards and feedback from relatives staying overnight with loved ones has been excellent.

“I am really pleased that they are contributing towards a positive experience for our families that are facing difficult times. My goal is to eventually role them out across all wards who will be caring for patients that are approaching the end of their lives.

“I would also like to personally thank my colleague Jean Osbourne, Staff Nurse at Goscote Hospice, who continued this work on my behalf whilst I was away on maternity leave. Also, a big thank you to our Well Wishers charity who supported us with funding.”

Jemilia Daniel, Senior Sister on the, Sister Dora Suite, said: “A sleeper chair was used almost immediately by one of our end-of-life patients’ families and has already made a significant difference to the support we can provide.

“Since becoming a ward caring for patients with dementia, we are increasingly caring for patients receiving palliative and end-of-life care. We feel privileged to support both patients and their loved ones during these precious final moments.

“I would like to thank Well Wishers and everyone who has supported us in receiving the sleeper chairs.”

Well Wishers raises funds to enhance care and improve the experience of patients, families and staff across Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust by funding projects that go above and beyond what the NHS provides.

Georgie Westley, Fundraising Manager, said: “We are delighted to have funded these sleeper chairs for Ward 2 and the Sister Dora Suite. We know how important it is for families to be together during the most difficult times, and we hope these chairs provide a little extra comfort when it matters most.”