Quinte Health Volunteer Provides Comfort to Our Youngest Patients
Emergency Department (ED) waits can be long, and they feel even longer for our youngest patients. Jim Reid has volunteered for nearly five years at Quinte Health Belleville General Hospital and has spent lots of time in the ED, helping people get where they need to go and answering questions.
In the fast-paced, often stressful environment of the ED, even the smallest things can make a world of difference. It is especially true for our young patients, who often find themselves in unfamiliar and uncomfortable situations. Recognizing this, Jim recently donated a children’s colouring table and chairs to the ED, providing a much-needed space for children to distract themselves during their visit.
“We pass out colouring books, crayons and stickers,” said Jim. “The kids had nowhere to colour. Often, they would sit on the floor to colour. I thought it would be great if I could bring a table for kids to colour on.”
Wherever mom and/or dad are sitting, Jim picks up the table and chairs and brings them to the kids. “It’s plastic, so it’s easy to clean and move around.”
Jim explained that other volunteers had told him what a great idea it was. “One volunteer said she saw two kids in the waiting room, and they were using the table to colour and craft, and they didn’t make a peep the entire time!”
Thank you to Jim for thinking of our patients of all ages!
Jim volunteers in other areas of the hospital—including the Intensive Care Unit and the main entrance—but he says he enjoys helping people in the ED the most.
Jim finds immense value and joy in providing the smallest gesture of comfort to patients as they wait, whether it’s giving them a warm blanket or some water. “I find I can help a lot of people in the ED. I also enjoy working with the nurses and team,” he shared.
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