For Kelly, a Nurse on the Inpatient Unit at East Lancashire Hospice, the value of hospice care within the local community is something she sees every day; especially at Christmas time.
“There’s a lot of love at East Lancashire Hospice. We see families at one of life’s most crucial moments and help ease their pain and make them comfortable. The team I work with are one of the most caring and compassionate teams I’ve ever worked with.” shared Kelly.
The ten-bedded Inpatient Unit at the Hospice caters for those with a range of life-limiting illnesses, and is a common misconception that hospice’s only care for those with cancer. Common non-cancerous life-limiting illnesses include, Parkinson’s, MND, Dementia, Chronic Kidney Failure, and Heart Failure.
“There are a lot of different conditions that we care for, and it’s about making sure each of our patients are as comfortable as they possibly can be. We give them dignity in dying and support their families.
“The support we offer ranges from symptom management, medication reviews, end-of-life care, pain relief and much more. Patients come to the Hospice to get the care they need; they can come and get their medications altered and get discharged. Many think that once you’re admitted on to the Inpatient Unit, that’s the end – but it definitely doesn’t mean that at all.” explained Kelly.
East Lancashire Hospice is known for going the extra mile; from hosting weddings and date nights to organising games evenings and memory-making activities, there’s always something special to bring joy to patients and their friends and family.
“At Christmas time, the Hospice is a lovely place to be, we have decorations and twinkling lights on the Inpatient Unit. For those that are unable to go home, we have Christmas lunches available and a buffet on Boxing Day for patients and their friends and families. A brass band plays on Christmas Eve and a live singer performs on New Years Eve. We make sure that everybody’s got something to open on Christmas Day and help families to make special memories.” said Kelly.
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