A patient with down syndrome and epilepsy was left unable to cuddle his family while in hospital in Pontefract.
Wakefield resident Jason Hawley was born with down syndrome and epilepsy and in 2015 was diagnosed with a form of dementia. When his condition worsened, he needed treatment at The Prince of Wales Hospice, in Halfpenny Lane. He had “treasured and wonderful moments” with his family by his hospital bedside, until he was told he could no longer cuddle his family for comfort.
Jason was in need of a ‘Cuddle Bed’ – allowing loved ones to be physically close and lay together, deepening connection and providing comfort – but due to lack of resources at the hospital, it was being used by another patient. Jason’s parents Rosemary and David Hawley said: “We were not being able to have that same closeness to Jason for those precious few days.”
