New dedicated family space officially opens at Altnagelvin ICU in Derry

A new Relatives’ and Consultation Room has officially opened within the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry, providing a dedicated, private space for families during critical times.

Having a family member in ICU can be an incredibly challenging time for families. It is often a time of uncertainty, anxiety and emotional strain. These new dedicated rooms within ICU will provide families with a calm, welcoming space away from clinical areas.

In total, two areas were decorated with fresh furniture and artwork to make them more comfortable for patients’ relatives spending time in the unit while their loved ones receive treatment and care.

The relatives’ room is a bright space which families can avail of tea, coffee, a fridge and TV and soft furnishings and the consultation room provides a space for privacy when families are receiving updates from medical staff regarding their loved ones condition.

Cathy O’Donnell, Altnagelvin’s ICU Ward Manager, Western Health and Social Care Trust said: “On behalf of the entire ICU team, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to making this project a reality. Our Trust’s Estates Team, the Friends of Altnagelvin for kindly providing the funding for furnishing the relatives’ room and our colleagues within the Organ Donation team for the refurbishment of the consultation room.

READ NEXT: Altnagelvin Hospital multi-storey car park to close temporarily for essential works

“As ICU Ward Manager I am incredibly proud of our ICU team and the care they provide to our patients and families at their most vulnerable time. These rooms to us represent a meaningful investment in the wellbeing of everyone who uses our service and reflect our team’s commitment to the delivery of high quality, compassionate care not only for our patients but for their families as well.”

Mark Gillespie, Western Trust Director of Surgery, Paediatrics and Women’s Health said: “The opening of this relatives’ room is an important step in making our intensive care unit more family-centred. It recognises that care doesn’t stop with the patient – families need support, space and compassion too. This space will provide a place to breathe during some of the most difficult moments in their lives.” 

Mark added: “I wish to extend my thanks to everyone who helped make this a reality, particularly our Estates Team for the collaborative approach they took to the project, alongside the Friends of Altnagelvin for funding the relatives’ room and the Organ Donation team for funding the consultation room.

“Finally, I want to pay tribute to our incredible ICU staff, whose compassion and dedication to providing high quality care to our patients shines through every day. They understand better than anyone what families need in moments of crisis and this room reflects their commitment to care that goes beyond medicine.”