Enhancing the Patient Experience at East Lothian Community Hospital

Imagine tranquil gardens offering a haven for patients receiving end-of-life care or struggling with mental health challenges. Funding has allowed us to work on redesigning and refurbishing these important spaces, promoting access to nature and a sense of calm.

Specialist landscapers have involved staff and patients in the design so they could understand any specific needs as well as challenges for developing these spaces. The focus is on private areas for quiet reflection and time with loved ones, fragrant plants and flowers to stimulate the senses, promote wellbeing and encourage more wildlife into the gardens, and accessible pathways to ensure everyone can enjoy the outdoors.

Find out more about our other Green Health activities on site by visiting our Green Health microsite.

Creative expression can be a powerful tool for wellbeing. Funding will support art-based activities, providing entertainment and a welcome distraction for patients.

We are looking forward to launching our programme of creative events and activities, specifically for East Lothian Community Hospital patients, starting in 2025. In partnership with Scottish Opera, Generation Arts and Dance Base, patients will have the opportunity to enjoy:

• Dance and movement sessions
• Pop-up cinema screenings
• Live opera performances

Find out more about how we are bringing the transformative power of the arts to patients, caregivers and staff in healthcare settings across NHS Lothian, by visiting our dedicated Tonic Arts microsite.

Meaningful activities tailored to individual interests can significantly improve patient wellbeing.

The Meaningful Activities Team is moving to a new space within the hospital and have plans to make this a welcoming and calming space for those patients who need it, as well as an interactive and engaging space for patients who wish to participate in more lively activities. Once they have moved into their new home, they will be able to assess how best to bring this to life.

We have also been able to invest in specialist equipment to enhance patient care.

This includes:

1. Ten new wheelchairs: Lighter and easier to manoeuvre, these give patients more freedom as they can be used by patients’ families, visitors and volunteers, so require less reliance on staff.
2. Ten rise and recline chairs: These comfortable, specialist chairs help those with limited mobility or strength to get in and out of the chairs more easily, helping to reduce falls, whilst also assisting patients who have issues sitting in straight-backed chairs, either through lack of strength or a medical condition such as a stroke.
3. Three MOTOmed bikes: These exercise bikes help patients build strength and improve mobility and cardiovascular fitness in a safe way as they can cycle whilst in a chair or wheelchair.
4. Renewal of RITA machine licenses for three years: These mobile touch screen units have been especially helpful for patients with mental health conditions, dementia or those receiving palliative care. We are delighted to have been able to renew the licenses for the machines to bring joy, entertainment, stimulation and distraction to patients.

Find out more about how RITA is helping to enhance the quality of life of patients on wards across NHS Lothian: RITA Impact Report

Funding from the Trust is supporting a Volunteer Services Manager post for 3 years. Our amazing volunteers are the heart of our hospital. They bring joy, companionship, and a friendly face to our patients. This role will help us recruit, train, and support more volunteers at the hospital.

“I love is being part of a community, you really feel like you’re part of something and you’re making a difference. It’s lovely to have a purpose, and to be able to help people as a volunteer and if it’s something you think you’d enjoy then I’d recommend it to anyone.”
Rachel, East Lothian Community Hospital Volunteer

Thanks to the Blythe Family Trust, we are able to support more dedicated Welfare Advisers on site to provide welfare advice to patients and families at a time when they need it most. These advisers often visit patients at their bedside to help them understand what benefits and financial support they might be entitled to. Often people aren’t aware of what support is available to them or that they are eligible for additional support following a change in circumstances.

Since April 2024, Welfare Advisers have helped patients and carers in East Lothian Community Hospital to access additional support with a total financial gain of £63,291. Welfare advisers have also signposted to other public body support such as Housing Options teams and third sector organisations such as Carers of East Lothian and Food Bank.