Bereavement rooms given refurbishment

Published on Tuesday 24 February 2009 08:55

ROOMS for bereaved relatives to grieve at three of the Lothians' hospitals have been refurbished.

Health bosses decided to improve the much-needed facilities at the ERI, the Western General and St John's Hospital in Livingston.

They have been redesigned to provide those who have just lost someone in hospital additional warmth, comfort and dignity.

Glasgow-based artist Sally Osborn was brought in to revamp a bereavement room at the ERI's accident and emergency department. Carefully selected artwork has been used to provide a more homely environment, health chiefs said.

Staff at some hospitals have also been given training to improve communication skills when dealing with bereaved families.

NHS Lothian's bereavement co-ordinator Caroline Pretty said: "Our approach to bereavement is to support all levels of experience to ensure that we have a consistently high standard of care."