As a parent of a child with autism, Dr Conway cared deeply about patient safety and understood the challenges faced by patients with autism and learning disabilities. He worked tirelessly to ensure patients received the care and adjustments they needed and advocated for patients who could not always communicate their needs or feelings.
More than 28,000 people living in Kent have a learning disability, many of which may attend the ED. People with learning disabilities are more likely to have unmet health needs, which can sometimes lead to delayed hospital discharges, readmissions, or, in the most serious cases, poorer health outcomes. Families and carers have also shared with staff at Medway Maritime Hospital how stressful it can be to come into a busy, noisy ED.
The resource box is managed by nurses and matrons on shift and can be requested by patients, families, or carers whenever they feel it might help during their visit to the ED.
Leanne Whymark, Lead Nurse Manager, came up with the idea of the sensory box after speaking to a family member who had a difficult experience in the ED.
She said: “I felt something was missing. With support from my colleague Learning Disability Liaison Nurse Eloise Brett and The Medway Hospital Charity, the idea for a sensory box became a reality. It felt right to name it after Dr Conway as he had such a strong passion for championing patients with learning disabilities and autism.
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