Forth Valley Royal Hospital's Tree of Life displays deeply rooted care for all

Patients with coronavirus who were cared for in Ward A31 – one of the designated COVID-19 wards in FVRH – are now remembered through a Tree of Life mural which has been installed as a backdrop on one of the full-length windows in the ward.

Around 100 green and amber leaves have been applied to the branches – with green representing those who have recovered and returned home, while amber remembers those who sadly lost their lives.

Staff wanted to come up with some way of acknowledging and remembering all of the patients who had been cared for on the ward throughout the pandemic and discussed the idea of a permanent physical reminder to be displayed fo all to see.

Rosario Walshe, NHS Forth Valley clinical ward manager, said: “At times, particularly in the beginning, it was pretty hard and I think staff have coped very well as a team. Many of our patients were extremely ill.

“It was harrowing and emotional but we pulled together and have been very supportive of each other. Our first patient was allowed a visit from her family which happened to take place on Mother’s Day.

“They waved at her through the glass for what they thought would be the last time but miraculously she recovered and went home. We wanted to dedicate this tree to all of the people who have been affected, patients, their families, friends and loved ones.

“COVID-19 is something which will probably stay with people for years to come and this is one way that memories of this difficult time can be enshrined.”

Leaves will continue to be added to the tree, but thankfully the number of COVID-19 patients has decreased in recent weeks.