My WiSH Charity support patients with learning difficulties

Emer O’Mahony is the learning disability and autism liaison nurse at the West Suffolk Hospital. Emer works with adults who access the hospital for appointments, admissions and emergencies.

Emer explained: “Patients are not only in my care while they are in hospital, but there is a lot of time spent preparing before they arrive.

Everyone has different needs, and we need to ensure we create a calm and suitable environment for them”. Each individual will need reasonable adjustments to meet their specific needs while they are in our care.

Her role covers a range of sometimes very complex care needs. Emer continued: “Patients could have autism and want a quiet space to be seen by a health care professional or they might have severe learning disabilities in which case a comprehensive plan will be put together prior to the admission or when they are with us”.

During their admission at the hospital, Emer will work alongside the clinical staff, carers and families to ensure the patient feels as safe as possible, but this is sometimes difficult due to a lack of resources. So, she contacted the Trust’s charity, My WiSH Charity.

Emer worked with fundraising manager, Sally Daniels, to come up with a range of items for patients to use.

Sally said: “We discussed what was needed and built up a shopping list of items which would not only entertain patients with learning disabilities but would also calm and reassure if needed.”

Items purchased include colouring and magic painting books, fidget toys, stress balls, lovely books full of pictures, stickers, calming eye masks and a portable DVD player with a host of DVD’s available from the Charity’s office in the main foyer of the hospital.

Emer said: “These items are just wonderful and will really help me to enhance patients’ visits to the hospital. I can’t thank My WiSH enough for their support and the difference this will make to some of our patients”.

Sally finished off by saying “We will continue to work with Emer and add to the items as needed. Some of these cost very little money but make a huge difference. We are so grateful to our donors who make this all possible.

To find out more about My WiSH Charity go to www.mywishcharity.co.uk.

Main photo: Learning disability liaison nurse Emer O’Mahony with a DVD player.