Cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Support and Treliske Hospital in Truro are working together to ensure better care for end of life patients and their families with ‘Butterfly Cornwall’.

The pilot project began on one ward in 2018 and has now been rolled out across the hospital. It involves simple and effective tools, such as discreet butterfly stickers next to beds and yellow dignity clips on curtains, to inform all hospital staff that a patient is in the last days of their life so that they act with compassion and sensitivity towards both the patient and their family. The scheme also trains hospital staff from cleaners, student nurses, ward staff and porters to understand what the butterfly stickers mean and how they can best support patients and families and avoid insensitive behaviour. Ed Murphy from Macmillan Cancer Support said: ‘There are few certainties in life, but there is one thing we can all be sure of, we will all die - so end of life care should be everyone’s business.

‘Butterfly Cornwall is a great example of how Royal Cornwall Hospital is leading the way by prioritising sensitive and appropriate care at the end of life and showing that all staff have a role to play in helping a patient to have a ‘good death’. We are proud to be involved in such an important project.’ 

Stephanie Brelsford is a Macmillan Palliative Care nurse. She said: ‘We are aiming to improve and enhance end of life care through simple actions which have a big impact for our patients and their families.

‘Our aim is for patients and their loved ones to spend quality time together when time is short. As a Macmillan professional I have the opportunity to support teams across the hospital to meet the special needs of our patients. I can help facilitate ’Rainbow Days’ to bring joy and create memories to cherish.’

As part of the project Macmillan have also given grants to fund wedding boxes, for weddings conducted in hospital, and comfort bags for visitors containing items such as toiletries and stationery.