New Wagga Wagga Base Hospital initiative offers comfort and connection to grieving families
Patients and their families who have spent time in Wagga Wagga Base Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are being acknowledged through a new initiative developed by staff.
The initiative recognises the unique journeys of patients and the vital role families play during some of life’s most challenging moments, while also offering ongoing support and connection to families following a loss.
The initiative, A Lasting Connection, was developed by the hospital’s ICU team as part of the unit's broader ICU Gratitude Project, which acknowledges the trust patients and families place in clinicians during ICU stays.
The project recognises that every patient's journey is unique. Patients who recover from their ICU stay receive a Strength and Hope card acknowledging their experiences, while families who lose a loved one are provided with A Lasting Connection bereavement box.
The initiative was developed after staff reflected on how the ICU could provide more meaningful support to grieving families beyond the hospital environment. A small working group came together to create a practical and compassionate way to extend care during a difficult time.
ICU Nurse Unit Manager Verina Walsh said the project reflected the team's commitment to compassionate, person-centred care.
"As ICU clinicians, we have the privilege of caring for patients and families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. While we celebrate every recovery, we also recognise the profound impact of loss and the importance of ongoing support for families who are grieving,” she said.
“A Lasting Connection is a way for us to extend our care beyond a patient's time in ICU. It acknowledges the enduring connection between families and the staff who cared for their loved one and provides a lasting reminder that they are not alone in their grief."
The bereavement box includes carefully selected resources and keepsakes, including bereavement information, a personalised sympathy card signed by staff, the patient's handprint and a forget-me-not seeds. Each element was chosen to provide comfort, remembrance and a tangible connection to a loved one.
Ward clerk Lauren Fleming, who led the development of the initiative, said every aspect of the box was created with patients and their families in mind.
"We wanted to create something meaningful that families could take home and revisit in their own time. Every item in the box was chosen with care to honour their loved one's memory and acknowledge the journey families have been through.
"The project was inspired by conversations within our team about how we could better support families after they leave the hospital. We hope these small gestures provide comfort and help families feel connected to the people who cared for their loved one.
The name "A Lasting Connection" was inspired by one of the key themes identified during the ICU's strategic planning process: connection.
It reflects the belief that while a patient's ICU journey may come to an end, the connection between families and the healthcare team endures, as well as the connection that develops between staff and patients during their time in the ICU.