Families of patients at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital will now have a private room to take a break, collect their thoughts or grieve.A patient family lounge was officially unveiled on the third floor of the hospital yesterday.Community activist Gina Spence applauded the new services and said the lounge would give families dealing with illness or loss a private space to mourn.She said it would have been helpful when her family dealt with their own tragedy her son-in-law, James Lawes, was murdered on March 19 last year.“I was quite pleased to hear that there was a space airmarked specifically for that purpose where families can go because I know during our experience there was no such place.“The room that they used to house families in was a multi-purpose room that was used for several different things so there was little privacy.“I definitely have to applaud the hospital because a lot of the [violent] incidents that have been happening were unprecedented. There really wasn’t a space like that and they moved very swiftly to provide it.”Ms Spence said the types of emergencies and crisis situations the hospital faces have changed, placing different demands on the facility.She said she is still in talks with staff to implement other services such as an on-call crisis counsellor, but said the hospital was making great strides.Ms Spence said she expected the lobby would prove invaluable for families dealing with a sick or injured loved one and added: “To have these resources available for families as soon as possible will make a big difference for people going through that process.”Health Minister Zane DeSilva was present at the official opening of the lounge yesterday morning, as was Bermuda Hospitals Board CEO David Hill and vice president of quality and risk management Preston Swan.Mr DeSilva said the space, which can comfortably sit 30, would enhance the hospital’s ability to meet the needs and expectations of the community.“Until recently, the families of patients who wait at the hospital while their loved one is being treated had no dedicated area at their disposal.“Family members had no place to go if they wanted a break from being on the ward, somewhere to recharge their batteries and collect their thoughts, somewhere to have basic privacy when talking with medical staff.“Many of you will know that supporting and caring for a loved one who is unwell is a stressful and upsetting experience. Having a place to go to recoup will greatly assist the support group around the patient and in turn, this will greatly assist the recovery of the patient.”Mr DeSilva said it was important not to “simply stand still” while the new hospital building is under construction. He congratulated the BHB on moving such projects forward.The lounge is now open during hospital visiting hours from noon until 8pm daily, but hours can be extended for families experiencing a crisis or in emergency situations