After a successful pilot, and taking on board feedback from it, the marigold sign has now been launched throughout CHFT.

It's a simple visual aid to help all colleagues and visitors be mindful about end-of-life care patients in ward areas and will enhance care at the most crucial of times.

The End-of-Life Care Team enjoyed meeting colleagues as they delivered the marigold magnets for the patient boards by bedsides and were delighted with the positive response. 

Dr Fred Bell and sister Paula Grice on Ward 5 HRI are pictured. Both gave their thoughts.

Paula said: "Having the marigold signs in a prominent position helps colleagues on our wards as well as others who may be on the ward at the time.  It means they can recognise our end-of-life care patients and check with us before entering an area.

"Our patients and their relatives will benefit from this as their dignity and privacy is paramount to their care.

Dr Fred Bell's added: "The marigold indicates that a patient is in the last few days of life and acts as an indicator to colleagues to be extra-sensitive to the needs of these patients and families at a difficult time."

If you have any questions or queries about the sign, or if you’d like to feedback to us your experiences of using them, the team would love to hear from you. Email eolcteam@cht.nhs.uk

It's Dying Matters Week 

Our team have stands in the main entrances of each hospital between today and Friday.

End-of-life care clinical advisor, Eilidh Gunson, right said: " Time to break away from the taboos around death and dying.

It’s important to talk about the things that are important to us at the end of life and how we would like to be cared for. The End-of-Life-Care Team would be happy to talk with you about how to plan ahead and to safeguard those you love for the future. Please come and say hello, have a chat, play the Advance Care Plan game (yes, it is as exciting as it sounds!) and empower yourself to be in charge of your future care."