Newly extended mortuary offers dignity for families and loved ones
A major redevelopment of facilities used to care for people after they have died is helping ensure dignity for them and their loved ones.
The mortuary at Southend Hospital has doubled in size to provide improved facilities for staff and families.
Highlighting the new facility is poignant during National Grief Awareness Week, which runs from 2 to 8 December. There is a modern, bigger and more comfortable space with The Dandelion Suite, which allows grieving families to be able to spend time with their loved one.
As well as increasing in size, this viewing area also has new furniture allowing families to spend final, precious moments together in a suitable and soothing space.
This £8.5 million capital investment expansion of the mortuary now means there is enough room to make sure the hospital can continue to offer the same level of care in into the future.
Louise Rice, Mortuary Manager at Southend Hospital, explained how the improvements are already helping families at one of the most difficult times in their life.
She said: “These are hugely improved facilities, for both staff and patients, and anything that can help make this time easier for families is very important.
“It shows the hospital’s continued respect and dignity for our patients at the end of their lives and their bereaved relatives, supporting high-quality healthcare in our mortuary.
“We now have extra parking spaces, meaning families can drive directly to the Dandelion Suite, without needing to walk through the main hospital. It may sound like a small thing, but just being able to directly go to their loved one will make a huge difference to those families who come here, as will the more comforting surroundings of The Dandelion Suite.”