The French have long been famed for their unshakeable belief in the
health benefits of a glass of wine.
Now, one French hospital plans to take things a step further by
opening a wine bar aimed at improving the quality of life of
terminally-ill patients.
The bar at Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital in central France
will open in September.
It will be housed in the hospital's palliative care centre and
patients will be able to invite friends and family to share a drink
with them.
The first of its kind in France, the bar would "cheer up the
difficult day-to-day existence of patients," head of the centre
Virginie Guastella told AFP.
"The aim is to 're-humanise' patients by improving the quality of
their day-to-day existence and also by giving them the pleasure of
being able to offer and receive," she said.
The bar would also allow families facing bereavement to "create
moments of conviviality" despite being in a hospital environment,
she added.
"It's a little detail but it can make all the difference."
Staff at the hospital will receive special training from a social
anthropologist on how to handle patients who come to the bar.
In addition to wine, the bar will also stock beer, whisky and
champagne.
