Two of LUHFT’s Junior Doctors, Gabrielle Titley-Wilson and Chloe-Annabelle Ward, are on a mission to improve patient experience through clothing, toiletry and activity donations.
The pair established Donate2Motivate after they were inspired by an elderly patient with Parkinson’s Disease.
Chloe said: “The patient had no relatives or friends and was only provided with basic NHS toiletries and a hospital gown as he didn’t have any clothes of his own. We cared for the patient for a few months before establishing that the reason he didn’t want to get out of bed was due to embarrassment around the exposing hospital gowns.
“Gaby immediately ran to town to buy the patient pyjamas, slippers and a dressing gown and in the days following we noticed a real difference. He began getting out of bed and engaging with basic grooming for the first time in months and shortly after was discharged.”
In June, the duo coordinated a pyjama day across the Trust that raised over £700 from colleagues who donated and turned up to work in their bedtime attire.
Gaby continued: “Sadly the patient who inspired us to create this initiative has since passed away, but we are determined to continue Donate2motivate as a legacy and in a bid to continue improving patient care.”
If you would like to support Donate2Motivate, there is a donation box for clothes and toiletries in the Royal’s SWAN room between Wards 5A and 5B.