Throughout the spring and summer, our community came together around something deeply human: helping patients feel more comfortable, supported and genuinely cared for during some of life’s most vulnerable moments.
Thanks to your generosity, the Patient Care & Comfort campaign reached its fundraising goal, helping STEGH provide specialized equipment and everyday care items that can make recovery more comfortable, movement safer and care feel more personal.
These are the things that may seem small until you or someone you love is the patient. A comfortable bed. A safe chair. A table within reach. A warm blanket when you need it most.
Because of you, those “little things” are making a big difference.
Your generosity is helping provide equipment and everyday supports that patients rely on throughout their hospital stay, including specialized patient beds, specialized patient transport chairs, temperature management blankets and overbed tables, along with other items that support comfort, safety and independence.
Specialized beds can help support safer movement, pressure relief and fall prevention. Mobility chairs help patients move throughout the hospital more safely and comfortably, while everyday items such as tables and blankets help care feel more personal and supportive.
These are not simply conveniences. They can help patients rest, maintain dignity, avoid complications and recover more comfortably, while also helping STEGH teams provide safe, compassionate, patient-centred care.
“These are not ‘nice to haves.’ They are essential for patient comfort, safety and the delivery of high-quality care.”
Craig Watkin
Vice President of Patient Services and Chief Nursing Executive, STEGH
For John and Rose Mary Johnstone, Patient Care & Comfort is about much more than equipment.
During a recent hospital stay with pneumonia, John experienced moments when he was frightened, vulnerable and dependent on the people around him. What stayed with both John and Rose Mary was the compassion, dignity and kindness shown by his care team.
Rose Mary remembers staff supporting John through moments that could have felt uncomfortable or embarrassing without hesitation. “They treated him with dignity,” she shared.
For John, the right equipment mattered too. Something as simple as being able to move from his hospital bed into a supportive chair became an important sign that recovery was beginning.
“Once you get out of that bed, you know that you’re starting to get well.”
For someone who is tired, vulnerable or unable to move freely, a proper bed, supportive chair or piece of everyday equipment can help them rest, move safely and feel a little more like themselves again. Their experience captures what Patient Care & Comfort was really about: bringing comfort, dignity and compassion into the everyday experience of care.
Comfort can change the way a hospital stay feels.
It can mean resting more easily after surgery. Moving safely when getting out of bed. Having the things you need within reach. Staying warm. Feeling supported and maintaining dignity at a time when so much may feel outside your control.
For patients and families, those moments become part of how they remember their care.
And because of our community, STEGH teams have more of the tools they need to provide that kind of care every day.
The success of Patient Care & Comfort was strengthened by people, businesses, volunteers and community-led events across St. Thomas and Elgin County, each finding their own way to help make care more comfortable for patients at STEGH.
Because of you, patients and families at STEGH can feel more comfortable, supported and genuinely cared for, close to home.
Thank you to every donor, business, community group, event organizer, volunteer and supporter who helped make this campaign possible.
The campaign may be complete, but the impact of your generosity will continue to be felt by patients, families and care teams every day.
