Background The concept of the light boxes was due to my experiences as a bereavement clinical nurse specialist. When this box is switched on, the light is a great visual to others that there is a patient at end of life. A majority of the complaints from the bereaved were about the noise levels on the wards encountered by loved ones at the end-of-life. A light box outside our mortuary was piloted due to it being a high traffic area. Staff are alerted to individuals visiting deceased loved ones in the family room. When switched on, the noise level lowers dramatically due to what this symbolizes.

Aim Families will have better experiences, reduce complaints re: inappropriate conversations/unnecessary noise. This will also give patients anonymity in line with GDPR. Previously a poster indicated the side-room in which someone was end-of-life.

Methods Soft roll out – Pilot/presentations/campaigned for charities to help fund the pilot.

From the outset of the pilot, the Mid & South Essex Trust Hospital Charity paid for four of the Dandelion lights to be on medical wards, whilst support from the Eastern Organ Donation services team paid for two of the lights in our two critical care wards. This pilot falls in line with our end-of-life care committee’s action plan which has arisen from the recent Care Quality Commission internal inspection of end-of-life as well as the National Care at End-of-Life Audit (NaCEL) and NICE quality standards for 2023/24. The lightboxes will also link into the privacy and dignity agenda, as well as the six national ambitions for palliative and end of life care.

Results Positive feedback so far and a wider recognition of end-of-life for visitors and staff. We are due to collate the results from the staff feedback survey.

Conclusion The Lightbox pilot will hopefully be a great symbol to bring awareness to others regarding individuals at the end of their lives.