Thanks to the generosity of the local community, patients and their families under the care of Forest Holme Hospice in Poole will now be able to use multi-functional chair beds allowing overnight visitors to stay comfortably by their loved one’s bedside, making every moment count.

The chair beds were purchased as part of recent internal refurbishment to update the building and further improve the environment in which care and support is given to over 1,500 patients each year during the most difficult time of their lives. Other furniture purchased to improve patient welfare includes a new couch for the complementary therapies team and eight new recliner chairs, two of which were funded by donations from BBQ On The Green and The Pavers Foundation. 

Other elements of the refurb work included installing integrated hoists, adding further en-suite facilities, updating the relative’s kitchen and staff room, new flooring, lighting, dining table and chairs and general redecoration throughout the hospice. The other significant upgrade was the installation of new automatic opening entrance doors courtesy of a £10,000 donation from JP Morgan. 

The new chair beds can be easily manoeuvred and quickly pull out into a chaise lounge or full-length single bed to give visitors a comfortable place to sit or stay overnight.

Kate Bond, Ward Sister at Forest Holme Hospice, said, “It's so important that relatives have the option to be able to stay close to their loved ones here at Forest Holme. These chair beds allow relatives to stay at the bedside of their loved one throughout the night in comfort and get some rest. This puts both the patient and relative at ease that they are welcome here at any time day or night.”

Forest Holme Hospice Charity, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, was set-up to enhance the provision of palliative and end-of life-care and support across Poole, Wimborne and the Isle of Purbeck to people with advanced cancer and other life-limiting illnesses such as Motor Neurone Disease, Parkinson’s, heart disease and respiratory illness.

For more information, visit www.forestholmehospice.org.uk