Published: Wednesday, 24th January 2024
Mintlyn Crematorium, which is owned and managed by the borough council, has raised £14,000 to donate to the Stroke Ward at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn.
The Stroke Unit, also known as West Raynham, provide 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, specialist care. The team ensure that all patients who experience a stroke have access to care and treatment pathways, from acute treatments to life after stroke rehabilitation, both as inpatients and in the community.
Many people who have experienced stroke in some way will experience grief in response to their stroke. This can be due to loss in a range of ways such as losing the function of their body, speech, cognition, and for some they experience a loss of their identity and adjusting to a new life that without warning is different to before.
When recovery isn’t possible, the team support patients and their families with the guidance from Bereaved Relatives’ Service and the Trust Chaplaincy who work to support people in whatever they are facing.
The money has been raised through a charitable scheme, operated by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM), of which Mintlyn is a member. Under the scheme metal from medical implants is recycled after cremation, with the consent of the family of the deceased. Twice a year the institute asks its scheme members to nominate local charities, which help to support people to cope with the death of loved ones, to receive a donation.
Cllr Bal Anota, Cabinet member for Property and Corporate Services, at the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, said:
“Staff on the stroke ward at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital do incredible work to help patients who have had a stroke to get the support and rehabilitation they need. The team on this ward really do change peoples lives for the better and I’m pleased that this donation can help them with their vital work.
“Mintlyn Crematorium has now donated more than £160,000 to support charities through this charitable scheme and I hope people who are bereaved take comfort from that.”
Karon Strong, Head of Nursing (Medicine) at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, said:
“This £14,000 donation is hugely welcome and will help our clinical teams to enhance patient care for stroke patients on West Raynham ward as well as the support we provide to families and carers. Generous donations like these make all the difference, so we are very grateful.”
To qualify for donations from the scheme, charities are selected on the basis they have to assist the bereaved or those who are terminally ill.