The Southern District Health Board’s Surgical Ward in Southland Hospital has received a donation of specially curated, weighted soft toys from the Southland Hospital Volunteers Charitable Trust.

Jan Little, Charge Nurse Manager Surgical ward, accepted the donation on behalf of the team at the Southland Hospital Shop, which is also run by the Southland Hospital Volunteers Charitable Trust.

The soft toys were designed to help keep dementia patients calm and relaxed, she said.

Advertisement

Advertise on the Southland App

They are weighted, which makes them life-like, and are specifically made for a hospital setting so they can be cleaned well, Jan said.

“Often, dementia patients are anxious and afraid especially with them being in a new environment and having pain or illness. The comfort of having a familiar animal or baby to nurture and love makes a real difference to their emotional well-being and enhances their recovery. These wonderful donations really will be life changing to some of our most vulnerable patients. Thank you so very much from all of us on the Surgical Ward,” Jan says.

The Southland Hospital Volunteers Charitable Trust have also donated Bluetooth headphones, speakers and radios to the Mental Health Unit, among many other items over the year.

The Southern District Health Board is grateful for the gifts that help aid patient’s recovery and comfort during their time in hospital.