Being rushed to hospital, people don't always consider grabbing some basics that might be needed if they're forced to stay overnight. If they're heading to the hospital for care, they're likely focused on the pain or injury taking them into the institution, not in packing an overnight bag.

Members of the 91原创 Memorial Hospital Auxiliary (LMHA) have not only recognized this fact, but created a program to help patients who are spending the night waiting for a room.

They're creating hallway comfort kits that contain a sleep mask, ear plugs, lip balm, a notebook, and pencil that are gifted to the patients, explained LMHA president Barb Stewart. 

The new comfort kits, she said, are being well received by patients. 

The comfort hallway kits will continue to be made and distributed as long as there is a demand, she noted. 鈥淚f they're well received and the units think they're worthwhile, we'll continue to provide them."

The comfort kit is just one of many items that they provide, "supporting patients coming in through emergency that don't have anything with them," Stewart elaborated, noting that the auxiliary is helping patients in other ways, as well. 

The comfort kits are a new initiative created a few months ago, but are just one of many services the LMHA provides for patients at the local hospital, she explained, nothing they also distribute hygiene kits among other gifts to ensure patient comforts.

鈥淚magine you're homeless and you end up in the hospital and have nothing. One of the things you鈥檇 probably want the staff to help you with is to let them have a bath or a shower. Patients need shampoo and soap and stuff to do that," she suggested.

It is important to put oneself in someone else鈥檚 shoes when thinking of what the impact of hygiene and hallway kits will have on a patient, she said. 

"If you arrive at the hospital without family, and you would like to have some things to make your stay more comfortable鈥� Well, if you don't have a toothbrush, how can you do that? So, part of our role as an auxiliary is to provide items that will support the patient in getting better in getting out of the hospital,鈥� Stewart added.

Their outreach extends beyond that.

鈥淲e have a library cart, which takes books around to residential care and the patients in the hospital and they can select a book to read. We have a group of sewers that make small pillows for people that have had surgery. These pillows help the patients because they could put these small pillows up against their tummy and it just eases the coughing process a bit,鈥� she added.

鈥淎nd, we have a group of women that also knit sweaters and blankets that are sold in the gift shop and every newborn baby in the hospital gets a hand knitted toque,鈥� Stewart noted. she concluded. 

The auxiliary is always accepting donations from the public.

鈥淚f someone had a couple of boxes of ear plugs or a brand-new sleep mask or something like that, those would be great," Stewart said.

"We would gladly accept new products for the hygiene kits, like shampoo. People can donate items for some of those kits and we'd happily accept donations because otherwise we're purchasing them and we have to purchase them retail."