The Palliative Care Society of Trinidad and Tobago

New "cuddle beds" allow terminally ill patients to spend their final days holding loved ones — instead of being separated by standard hospital equipment.

For Darren Powell and his partner Nikki Smith, a terminal cancer diagnosis and subsequent paralysis meant more than just medical challenges; it meant the loss of physical closeness. Traditional nursing beds forced the couple to sleep in separate rooms, making a simple hug nearly impossible. However, the introduction of specialized "cuddle beds" at St Leonard’s Hospice in York has transformed their final chapter. These innovative beds expand to allow partners, children, and even pets to lie side-by-side with patients, facilitating "date nights" and movie marathons that restore a sense of normalcy and profound emotional connection during life's most difficult moments.

This vital upgrade in patient care was made possible by the tireless fundraising of Louise Ryan, who raised nearly £60,000 after the death of her husband, Nick. Having experienced the painful loss of physical contact during his final months, Louise turned her grief into a mission to ensure other families could remain close. Each bed costs £15,000, and with the hospice relying on the community for 75% of its annual funding, such grassroots efforts are essential. These beds do more than provide comfort; they offer a legacy of dignity, ensuring that the final memories shared by families are defined by a cuddle rather than a clinical barrier.

source: Turvey, N. 'Cuddle bed gave us back our togetherness'. BBC News.

Many scientists have dismissed acupuncture as little more than a placebo, but advanced imaging and clinical research reveal measurable changes in the body during treatment. As the evidence continues to grow, experts are rethinking where this ancient practice belongs in modern pain relief.

Learn about the possible benefits of acupuncture: https://on.natgeo.com/DtWZxd

🙏🏽

To our incredible healthcare workers, you give so much of yourselves every day, but you’re only human too. You deserve care, rest, and kindness just as much as anyone else.

Thank you for everything you do, and don’t forget to take care of yourself 🤍