One of the priorities as a charity is to enhance the experience our patients receive whilst spending time at Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH). Thanks to charitable donations we have been able to make this happen by supporting the special role of Pastoral Support Worker.
Anne-Marie (pictured above) is the Pastoral Support Worker, based within the MKUH chaplaincy team. Since starting in July 2021 she has provide care and support for more than 300 patients, their families and MKUH staff.
Anne-Marie’s role triages referrals and queries that come into the team. This might include liaising directly with a patient or relative or speaking to another team on behalf of the patient e.g. palliative care or the frailty team. Anne-Marie can then provide support and information.
Just a few examples of how the Pastoral Support Worker supports patients and relatives include:
Visiting patients – particularly older patients – when they are feeling isolated or lonely. This could be by playing cards with them, sitting with patients and listening to them talk about their family to ease loneliness and bring a smile – or simply holding their hand.
In one specific case, when a patient was struggling to use the iPad that had been given to her, Anne-Marie printed and laminated instructions for the patient on how to use and charge it.
Anne-Marie has also provided support to parents with babies on the Neonatal Unit. When a mother had her new-born baby admitted to the neonatal unit and was unable to visit every day due to her own recovery, Anne-Marie visited both mum and baby, sharing messages and reassuring the mum that the baby was being well looked after.
Charitable donations have helped make this happen and brought comfort or a smile to many patients, relatives and staff members. It wouldn’t be possible without the help of our donors and fundraisers.
For more information about how you can help us continue to support roles like Anne-Marie’s check out our upcoming events, or how you can support us.
