Unique end-of-life-unit opens doors in Mansfield

Parkside Nursing Home in Forest Town has opened its new butterfly wing, designed to make end-of-life care a more positive experience.

Sarah Milnes, deputy manager of Parkside said: “There’s not enough end-of-life care and too many people are dying on medical wards. We offer personalised care for those reciving end-of-life care, and we want to leave families with a more positive memory when their loved one passes away.”

The Butterfly wing has six beds, and offers short term stays to give families some much needed respite, and long term stays, should a patient choose to spend their final days on the unit.

The unit is unique in that it is the first of its kind to offer this specialised type of care in a nursing home setting.

Sarah adds that the unit is staffed with a specialised team that offer personalised care, and they are on the lookout to recruit new members.

She said: “We are looking for new staff for the unit, such as nurses and carers who are passionate about end-of-life care, and really want to give their patients a better experience.”

The unit is set to welcome its first patient after opening earlier this month.

Sarah added: “Providing palliative care requires a compassionate approach, and we aim to treat, comfort and support individuals and their families who have life-limiting conditions.

“Providing hospice care involves supporting people’s physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs, as well as ensuring families are looked after during the grieving process , both during and after a person’s pallitive journey.”