Southland Hospital Volunteers Charitable Trust donates specially weighted soft toys to help dementia patients

The Southern District Health Board’s Surgical Ward in Southland Hospital has received a generous donation of specially curated weighted soft toys from the Southland Hospital Volunteers Charitable Trust.

Jan Little, Charge Nurse Manager Surgical ward, accepted this donation on behalf of the team at the Southland Hospital Shop, which is also run by the Southland Hospital Volunteers Charitable Trust. These soft toys are designed to help keep dementia patients calm and relaxed, they are weighted which makes them life-like, and are specifically made for the hospital setting so they can be cleaned well.

“Often, dementia patients are anxious and afraid especially with them being in a new environment and having pain or illness. The comfort of having a familiar animal or baby to nurture and love makes a real difference to their emotional well-being and enhances their recovery. These wonderful donations really will be life changing to some of our most vulnerable patients. Thank you so very much from all of us on the Surgical Ward,” Jan says.

The Southland Hospital Volunteers Charitable Trust have also donated Bluetooth headphones, speakers and radios to the Mental Health Unit amongst many other items over the year and the Southern District Health Board is grateful for these wonderful gifts that help aid in our patient’s recovery and comfort during their time at the hospital.

Please note hi-res pictures are attached on this page.

From left
Jeanette Fletcher, Paige Gilmore (Registered Nurse), Lynley Kelland, Noeleen Little, Jan Little (Charge Nurse Manager Surgical Ward), Muriel Newcombe, Rae Sutherland

From left
Standing: Muriel Newcombe, Jeanette Fletcher, Lynley Kelland
Sitting: Noeleen Little and Rae Sutherland
 

For further information, please contact:

Southern DHB Communications Advisor, Pauline Chin
pauline.chin@southerndhb.govt.nz