Our Hospice is a sanctuary for patients and families. But what makes it great is the staff who work here. They are the reason our care can be so patient-centred and unique.
The Marketing team have created 5 short videos that show people that hospice care is not what they think, and that behind that is a person who makes it happen.
We’ll be posting the videos on our social channels every day this week but here’s a taster:
Pets in the hospice: we welcome animals and pets onto our ward – even on the bed! We’ve had cats, dogs, rabbits, donkeys, miniature horses even baby goats and lambs visit our patients. Our nursing team say contact with animals has a therapeutic effect on people, reducing stress and anxiety and promoting feelings of wellbeing and contentment. Pets make patients happy!
A little tipple: Each day before lunch patients are able to enjoy a small alcoholic drink if they wish. In Day Therapy patients will sit down at tables to eat together in a group. Our nurses say a modest sherry can help stimulate appetite and encourage patients to eat. The drink also changes the experience into a sociable occasion, something many of our patients miss.
Food for patients: Patients often don’t have much of an appetite, so when they really fancy something particular our catering team try their hardest to make it happen. Lemon meringue pie, a bacon sandwich, a cream tea are just a few examples often created to order. ‘A little of what you fancy does you good’ and making sure our patients receive delicious, nutritious meals is as important to us as it is to our catering team.
Complementary therapy for families: When someone approaches the end of their life, their family suffer too. Our team of complementary therapists offer relaxing therapeutic massage not just for patients, but also for their stressed anxious spouses and family members, giving them a few minutes respite and a chance to relax and focus on themselves.
Children’s counselling: When someone in a family has a serious illness, everyone is affected in some way. Children and young people may need additional support to make sense of what is happening. Our counsellor supports children and families, individually and together to have difficult conversations. She also brings bereaved families together to share in fun days.
