New room created to deliver UK’s first Namaste care service in a hospital setting

Emily, who was appointed as the UK’s first Namaste Care Practitioner in a hospital setting back in 2023, came up with the idea of a dedicated room towards the end of last year but it finally becoming a reality thanks to The Medway Hospital Charity funding the furnishings. A record player with a built-in radio was also donated by a member of staff who works on the ward.

The hospital became the first in the UK to introduce a Namaste care service following a successful pilot on Tennyson Ward in 2020, which was instigated by both Emily and the End of Life Care Team.

Emily added: “My plan is to create more Namaste care rooms on other wards but I chose Tennyson Ward to host the first one as it holds a special place in my heart because that’s where the service started and the staff there continue to support me.

“Before I started working for the hospital I worked as a carer for 13 years. Helping people living with dementia or at the end of their lives is my passion so offering this kind of care is extremely important to me because these people still have lives, family, passions and dreams. To be in a job where I can ease someone’s worry about their hospital stay and help them to feel safe, or help someone to have a good death, or support family members to understand what they can do to help their loved one, is a real honour.”

Donna Law, Head of The Medway Hospital Charity, said: “We were delighted to fund items for the new Namaste Care Room within Tennyson Ward. Being in hospital can be a distressing time for anyone, but for those living with dementia, it can often be more stressful. To create a safe space that feels like a home is really impactful. Our patients now have access to familiar surroundings and we hope this welcoming space brings them comfort while they are in hospital.”