Patients with learning difficulties and sensory needs will benefit from a new Sensory Trolley in the Emergency Department (ED) at Furness General Hospital (FGH) thanks to donations from local charities and organisations.
The initiative, led by the Patient Experience Team in partnership with Brian Evans, Lead Nurse for Learning Disabilities and Autism and Dianne Smith, Consultant Admiral Nurse for Dementia at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT), was made possible by Bay Hospitals Charity and the Rotary Club of Barrow-in-Furness. Jewson's and JT Atkinson's Kendal branches kindly donated adult ear defenders to be used with the Sensory Trolley.
The trolley, which cost more than £2,000, includes a range of sensory items purchased from specialist supplier Rompa, designed to provide comfort and reduce anxiety for patients during their time in the ED.
Dianne said: “The ED is sometimes an overwhelming place to wait, especially for people with dementia who struggle to process what's happening and usually want to leave and go home. They can feel frightened and sometimes get very distressed. To have the trolley there is an opportunity to do something enjoyable which will distract them from their surroundings. With support from families and carers, they can use the sensory equipment to calm them and focus on things they enjoy such as games and activities.”
Brian said: “When anyone attends the ED it can be an overstimulating and frightening experience; for people with learning disabilities and/or autism this can be further compounded due to sensory sensitivities and difficulties with self-managing and self-regulating in such a busy and noisy environment.
“The new Sensory Trolley and sensory equipment will provide an opportunity for our hospital staff to give those waiting who are unable to safely leave the department some specific sensory items to help them and their family/carers to focus on activities designed to redirect and reduce the impact of being in the hospital. I'm sure the sensory trolley will have such a positive impact and help towards making hospital attendance a little less difficult for our vulnerable patients.”
Annette Shepherd, Patient Experience Lead at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to launch this sensory trolley at FGH. It’s an important step in improving the experience for patients with learning difficulties and sensory needs. We’re grateful to Bay Hospitals Charity, the Rotary Club, Jewson's and JT Atkinsons Kendal branches for their support and to everyone who helped make this possible.”
Suzanne Lofthouse, Head of Charity and Fundraising, Bay Hospitals Charity, said: “At Bay Hospitals Charity, our priority is helping improve patient care in ways that have a meaningful and immediate impact. This Sensory Trolley will provide comfort and reassurance for people with learning disabilities and sensory needs at times when they need it most. We are happy to support a project that puts patient experience at the heart of emergency care.”
The official handover of the Sensory Trolley took take place on Friday, 9 January, with representatives from the Rotary Club attending.
While this trolley is currently for FGH, efforts are underway to secure funding for similar sensory items at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI).
This project reflects the UHMBT's commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all patients.