A small act of kindness has made a big difference for patients who arrive at Redland's Macleay Ward with limited clothing.

Clinical Nurse Tamieka-Jayne Jones and Administration Officer Danielle Sinclair created the Threads of Kindness clothing cupboard after noticing some patients had little or no clothing of their own to wear during their hospital stay, and no friends or family to provide them.

With support from the Redlands District Special School, the Macleay Ward team established the  Threads of Kindness clothing cupboard on Macleay Ward. The cupboard provides a selection of clean, good-quality clothing for patients to use.

Danielle said something as simple as getting dressed could make a noticeable difference.

“For some of our patients, there is no one they can call to bring in clothes from home,” she said.

“Having their own day clothes means they don’t have to spend their stay in a hospital gown and gives them back some dignity and choice.

“We’ve also noticed patients getting dressed and coming out into the shared areas, talking to other patients and staff. It’s been really lovely to see.”

Tamieka thanked Robina and Jo-Anne from Redlands District Special School op shop who had donated much of the clothing.

Nurse Unit Manager Tania Morton said the Threads of Kindness cupboard showed how a simple idea could improve a patient’s hospital experience.

“Our staff saw something that could make life a little easier for some of our most vulnerable patients and did something about it,” she said. “It might just be a shirt or a pair of pants, but for someone who has nothing else to wear, it can mean a lot.”