PATIENTS can now have their loved ones sleep by their side at Salisbury District Hospital thanks to 36 new specialist chairs.

Funded by the Stars Appeal, the ‘by your side’ chairs, which cost a total of £50,400, easily convert from an armchair into a comfortable bed, and mean vulnerable patients and those at the end of their lives can have someone close stay by their side.

Previously, relatives could only be offered upright or partially reclining chairs which were uncomfortable and very difficult to sleep on.

Gill Wade used one of the sleeper chairs and stayed with her husband Colin after his health deteriorated when he had pneumonia.

Colin sadly passed away in June at 81.

Gill, who lives in Salisbury, said: “In the last week of my dear Colin’s life I stayed there with him all day and all night. The sleeper chair made my stay so much more comfortable. It meant the world to Colin that I could be with him.

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“I promised Colin I would not leave his side. Having somewhere to sleep enabled me to fulfil my promise to him. He was able to go to sleep holding my hand, knowing I was there with him, right to the end.”

Colin and Gill Wade Picture: Stars Appeal

The couple, who were married for 56 years, spent precious time together and Gill recalls one very special moment.

She said: “The last conversation I had with him, he got his hand out from the bed sheets and made a heart sign. Then he put his hands back and went to sleep.”

Jill Scott also used a ‘by your side’ chair to stay with her daughter Zoe Fox, 40, from Amesbury, who was being cared for on the Pembroke cancer ward and sadly passed away in March after being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, which had spread to her brain.

Jill, who lives in Shrewton, said: “I was so grateful to have had one to sleep on by my darling daughter’s side in her last week of life on the Pembroke Ward.

“It was a total godsend, knowing I could stay with her every minute of the day and night. I could never have left my daughter’s side, not for a minute. Thank you so much for providing these for relatives.”

Jill Scott with her daughter Zoe Fox Picture: Stars Appeal

The ‘by your side’ sleeper chairs are available in wards across the hospital. They were funded by the generosity of Stars Appeal donors, who each gave £1,400.

End of life care lead nurse and Stars Appeal ambassador Paula Dawson said: “These chairs are bringing comfort to so many families.

“We want to thank all the Stars Appeal supporters who have helped fund them. Your generosity is helping patients and their families be together during the most difficult of times.”

To find out more about the Stars Appeal, Salisbury Hospital’s Charity visit www.starsappeal.org