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Did you know that Hospice at Home West Cumbria...
Is a local independent charity set up in 1987 |
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| Home -> About the Hospice | |
| About Hospice at Home West Cumbria... | |
| Introduction Hospice at Home West Cumbria was set up in 1987. The concept of a "Hospice without Walls " was completely new at that time. Nowhere else in the country had a hospice that was not centred in a building. But the founders of Hospice at Home West Cumbria were adamant that to attempt to raise enough money in the West Cumbria area to build a hospice would take years and the people of West Cumbria would be deprived of hospice services during that time. The geographical area also made it difficult to find an accessible centre that would be convenient to everyone. National and local research had shown that given the choice the majority of people stated that they would prefer to be cared for at home. But this is not always possible without additional care and support. Creating a ‘hospice without walls’ was a very innovative solution to caring for the dying. We were one of the two organisations that pioneered this service and over the years we have developed an excellence in home based palliative care, and are regarded nationally as providing a model of good hospice at home care. The Nursing Service After six months of fundraising the six trustees and their supporters had raised £30,000 and the Day and Night nursing service began in September 1987. The hospice currently employs around 40 nurses on a bank who support and care for patients with a terminal illness. The Hospice Nurses provide one-to-one nursing in the patients' homes. The care needs are assessed by a Macmillan Nurse or the Nurse Team Leader on an individual patient basis. The purpose is to enable patients to stay in their own home, cared for by their family to the end of their life or for as long as possible. The care and support that the nurses give is not only for the patient but also for the family and carers, giving them time to go out, or to have a good night's sleep. The age of the patients varies from children to the elderly and, although between 60% and 70% of the patients suffer from cancer, care is not restricted to cancer sufferers only. Day Care Service In 1990/91 the Day Care Service was introduced and a full time Registered Nurse and a part time Co-ordinator for the volunteers were appointed. We currently run two Day Care Centres in Maryport and Whitehaven, which are staffed by the Day Care Leader, a Staff Nurse, and three or four Volunteers. We also use volunteer drivers to transport the patients to and from the centres. Day Care offers patients a range of social activities including craftwork and games, and various complementary therapies are available, e.g. massage. Recently the ‘Living for Today’ programme has been introduced. This is intended for adults who have been diagnosed with an incurable illness, and for those who are caring for them. It is designed to facilitate wellbeing and to help people to get the most out of the remainder of their lives. Drop In Centres 1990/91 also saw the start of the Drop In Centres in Cockermouth and Whitehaven for patients, carers, and the bereaved to drop in for information, help and support. More recently they have also been able to benefit from complementary therapy and simple hand massage. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided. Medical Director In 1992 Dr Eileen Palmer , a consultant in Palliative Medicine, was appointed as the Medical Director. The Medical Director works very closely with the G.P.s visiting patients in their own homes providing specialist medical care for pain and symptom control. She also gives advice and support to the hospice nurses and to the Macmillan and District nurses. The medical director is very heavily involved in teaching all members and levels of staff. The role of our Medical Director was extended in 1993 to include consultant sessions in West Cumberland Hospital. Lymphoedema Service In 1994 the Lymphoedema Service was introduced. New patient clinics are held at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven and are run by two Registered General Nurses who have specialist knowledge and skills and have undertaken specialist training. The clinic is predominantly nurse led but the Medical Director is available to assess the more complex cases. Following assessment a treatment plan is initiated. Patients are followed up in a clinic or at home by the nurses in close liaison with the district nurses, often doing joint visits to the patient’s home. Prior to the setting up of this service patients had to travel to Newcastle to receive specialist treatment for Lymphoedema. Funding and Volunteers The hospice provides all its services free of charge no matter how long or how often the service is needed. The Hospice receives approximately one third of its funding from the NHS and the remainder, in excess of £350,000 per annum, has to be raised locally through fundraising, legacies and donations. The hospice has a committed band of fundraising volunteers, who help to organise and run fundraising events throughout the year; help to run the Charity Shops in Workington and Cleator Moor. We depend very much on the generous support of the local community, which is invaluable to the Hospice. We also have volunteers who help us in our Day Centres; help by providing transport to and from the Day Centres; and assist as Befrienders. President and Patron In October 1988 the Dowager Lady Egremont agreed to become President of the new charity and has actively supported the charity in all its work. Also in 1998, the Hospice was honoured when HRH The Prince of Wales became its Patron . In January 2004, Prince Charles extended his patronage for a further five years until December 2008. Hospice at Home West Cumbria Association In 1991 the Hospice at Home West Cumbria Association was established. The Association was formed to enable those who had an interest in Hospice at Home to pay a small annual subscription (currently £5) and they would receive a quarterly newsletter; the annual report; be allowed to vote at the AGM; and would be eligible to be nominated and elected on to the Promotion and Development Group Committee. |
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