A dedicated palliative and end of life care ward has opened for the first time at Addenbrooke’s, bringing together patients previously cared for across the hospital.
In a standalone facility set apart from the main hospital, Ward T2 - The Willows provides quiet and dignified nurse-led care supported by specialist palliative care clinicians.
It enhances existing end of life care at CUH, providing a dedicated ward for patients. Focused on the individual needs and wishes of patients and their families, the ward provides a calmer environment than acute areas of the hospital and more privacy. It has 18 individual bed spaces, a dedicated family room and adjoining garden and outside space.
Designed for patients nearing the end of life, often in their final days or weeks, Ward T2 – The Willows creates a peaceful environment with skilled nursing and space for families to be present. Focusing on comfort, dignity and quality of life, it represents a major step forward in how we care for and support these patients and their families. Our teams have received some really positive feedback from patients and families since the ward opened which has been wonderful to hear.
Dr Matthew Butler, clinical lead for end of life care at Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH)
Previously a surge ward for medically fit for discharge patients, the ward has been adapted to a dedicated setting for end of life care, with input from patients and families. Different bedding and curtains have been introduced to make the space feel less clinical and more comfortable.
Specially commissioned artwork on the wall and window of each bed space, creates an individual and personal feel. Each bed space has a recliner chair to allow relatives, who can visit at any time, to stay close to loved ones.
A new multi-disciplinary room for staff helps ensure care is tailored to the specific needs of patients and families. Focusing end of life care in one place enables clinical teams to work more effectively to improve care for these patients. The Chaplaincy team also visit the ward to provide support to patients, families and staff.
Dr Matthew Butler and Matron Kirsty Jones introduce Ward T2 - The Willows
Link: https://youtu.be/Yayo8D482Es
Dependent on their wishes, patients can choose to remain on acute wards, or move to The Willows, or transfer home, to a care home or hospice depending on their clinical needs.
The Willows is designed to care for patients who are in the final days or weeks of life and need a dedicated and quiet space to spend time with families. It is different to hospice care, where patients have complex symptom control and medication needs, and may not yet be at the end of life. Both settings need specialist teams and complement each other.
CUH works closely with community care providers and patients will continue to have access to hospice level care as required including hospice at home and inpatient beds at local hospices.
The opening of the ward strengthens palliative and end of life care at CUH by giving patients and families access to an environment specifically designed to support comfort, dignity and quality of life, while continuing to support patients receiving care in other parts of the hospital.
This enables our patients to have more choice about where they are cared for in their last days and weeks of life whilst at CUH. It offers patients who were previously cared for on different wards across the hospital, the option to move into a dedicated environment for the first time. It supports relatives and loved ones by providing a family room and facilities on the ward.
Tina O’Hara, lead nurse for end of life care at CUH
Caring for dying patients is a privilege and responsibility. This new ward provides a calmer environment for patients, where they and their families can be cared for and supported in their last days or weeks of life.
Dr Yvonne Cartwright, specialty lead for palliative medicine at CUH
Further improvements are planned over the coming months with patients helping shape projects such as the redesign of the garden area and outside space, funded by Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, to create an even more peaceful environment for patients and families.
