(Left to right) St John of God Murdoch Hospital Chief Executive Officer Ben Edwards, Department Director of Nursing Clinical Safety and Quality Kimberley Montgomery, Director of Nursing Sarah-Jayne Powell and Nurse Manager at the Thomas Furlong ward Karan Lane. Photo: Supplied.
St John of God Murdoch Hospital are the first to offer large ‘Cuddle Beds’ to support patients and their loved ones with a comfortable, compassionate approach to end-of-life care.
The beds arrived at St John of God Murdoch Hospital’s Oncology ward in August 2020. Cuddle Beds offer patients and loved ones a compassionate approach to end-of-life care, with the opportunity to feel close while in a hospital or hospice setting.
St John of God Murdoch Hospital Oncology Ward Nurse Manager Karen Lane, has been the driving force behind the Cuddle Bed project. When Karan’s own mother passed away seven years ago, she longed for closer connection during this time, so when she later discovered the use of larger hospital beds that could fit two or more people, she encouraged this style of care to be adopted.
“As a caregiver I see it time and time again, where people are wanting to get close to each other, and it can be heartbreaking and have a lasting effect for patients’ families. It’s about just being there…. without restriction.”
The cuddle bed was sponsored by the St John of God Foundation, who are currently fundraising for additional beds to support palliative care practices across St John of God Health Care nationally.