A new cuddle bed at Esk Hospital will enable families to feel connected during their loved one’s hospital stay.
The cuddle bed comes as two individual beds that can be joined to make one large bed, allowing families to be physically near their loved one.
The bed arrived in April, thanks to support from Esk Hospital Auxiliary.
Secretary Trevor Page said the auxiliary made their priority last year to raise almost $20,000 for the bed.
“I know, from personal experience, how challenging it can be when loved ones have extended hospital stays,” Mr Page said. “The ability to give a loved one a cuddle, or even hold hands, can be a challenge in standard hospital beds where drips, tubes and safety rails can make personal contact difficult.
“In partnership with Esk Hospital, our auxiliary identified the need for a bed that allowed loved ones to be close to a patient during their hospital stay. We co-ordinated numerous fundraising activities, such as raffles, sausage sizzles and a highly popular movie night, to fund the acquisition of the cuddle bed earlier this year.”
Esk Hospital Director of Nursing Allison McGregor accepted delivery of the cuddle bed and thanked the auxiliary for its support.
“The funds for this purchase were substantial and only possible with the ongoing continued support from the Esk community. Comfort for our patients and their families is our priority and this bed will make a big difference.”
BREAKOUT STORY
Esk Hospital Auxiliary is holding its first ever hospital fete on Saturday 6 July, from 10am to 2pm.
Mr Page said the fete would include family activities, emergency services displays, and food and drinks.
“Stallholders will donate all proceeds from the fete to the Esk Hospital Auxiliary,” Mr Page said. “We hope the fete will strengthen our wonderful little hospital, which is such an asset to the people of the Brisbane Valley.”
The fete will be a key fundraiser for the auxiliary, which has already identified its next fundraising target.
“During 2024 we hope to be able to fund changes to the patient lounge to make that space more useful for patients and their families,” Mr Page said. “We also hope to add speakers to the day-use areas of the hospital so patients can listen to relaxing music.”