Intensive Care staff at Western General write poem for families unable to visit

SN Louise Whitelaw (left) and DCN Hayley Simpson. | Other 3rd Party

Intensive Care staff at the Western General have written a poem to be sent out to families who are unable to visit loved ones.

The poem, called ‘We Stand Together’, is sent to families who wish to receive it along with some forget me not seeds.

Staff hope the gesture will reassure and comfort worried families not able to see their relatives.

The poem written by Hayley Simpson. | JPIMedia

“Having a loved one in ICU is an incredibly difficult time for relatives, and part of our role as ICU nurses has always been to support relatives of patients,” said Hayley Simpson, Deputy Charge Nurse, who wrote the poem while colleague Louise Whitelaw organised the seeds.

“Our team are committed to offering support to relatives, and Louise and myself tried to imagine what it would be like being in their situation.

“We had a few ideas before agreeing to send forget me not seeds. They are a symbol on behalf of our nursing staff to convey our thoughts to the relatives. We have not forgotten about them and the duty of care we owe them as well as their loved one.”

She added: “Intensive Care can be quite technical, and it can be quite overwhelming when we’re trying to provide information about a patient over the phone. We hope with the poem we can offer something to connect with relatives and comfort them.”

The first two verses of the poem are below:

“We wrote you a little poem

Straight from our hearts

As we stand with your loved one

Whilst you are apart

We can’t begin to imagine

During these unprecedented times

How awful this must be for you

How the world must seem unkind”

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