Heartbeat: Team provides a listening ear to bereaved families

March 2, 2021

It’s been a difficult and challenging year for many, but for the bereavement care team, it has been like no other. They have had to offer support to devastated families who have not just lost one loved one, but in some cases experienced the death of five relatives – all due to Coronavirus.

Sue Edwards, recently appointed bereavement nurse, has led the team throughout, along with Angie Jones, bereavement care team co-ordinator and Jo Bradley, who left the service a short while ago. The service was introduced in April directly in response to COVID-19 and was initially supported by two redeployed nurses Bev Jackson and Jean Graham from outpatients.

But the service has also been helped tremendously by four volunteers who have befriended relatives mourning their loved ones and experiencing loneliness and isolation, by offering them guidance and a listening ear when they have needed it most.

“I can’t praise the volunteers enough,” explained Sue. “They have given these relatives much-needed support in their time of need. Before the volunteers call the next of kin, they have limited information, like the first name of the deceased, when they died and where it happened.

“Once they start speaking to them, they learn more details of the tragic circumstances around their situation. They have talked to people who have lost up to five members of the same family to this virus. We’ve also heard about a high number of husband and wife deaths – all due to Coronavirus.

“Supporting grieving loved ones is the main focus of the team. We aren’t counsellors, but when we call people, we acknowledge their loss, ask how they are and how the family is coping. The team, during their initial contact, offer a follow-up call and share details of the service.

“We can offer to refer relatives and/or their carers for ongoing bereavement counselling support from Sandwell CRUSE and will identify if support for children is required from Edward’s Trust. We are also able to signpost families to local and national organisations for advice, for example, around finances and funeral arrangements.

“Sometimes, however, the next of kin isn’t always a relative. They can be the window cleaner or hairdresser. It is just as vital to offer them the same level of support as they had a relationship with this person.

“Just as they are supported, so are our volunteers. We are there alongside them, and once they have finished the call, they brief us on what has happened. Some of the stories they hear are upsetting, so we have to make sure that we can offer them guidance and support. Sometimes they may need this during the call, so that is why their role is performed whilst on site.”

The team also receives feedback about the care their loved one has received during their stay at our Trust. Sue added: “We ensure that we share these comments with those involved in their care to thank them.”

The team also offer other poignant ways to remember those who have died at our Trust. Sue added: “We have purchased special hand printing sets which are for end of life care patients. Some wards are already using these – it gives families a lasting memory of their loved one in the way of a handprint. We have these kits, and if colleagues on wards wish to have these, they can contact us.”

Future projects for the team include creating a memorial tree of light at Sandwell that will mark those who have lost their lives in 2020. “We are hoping to introduce this early next year – it will be a fitting tribute to those who died during such a difficult year.”