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always make sure everyone’s settled and comfortable before we leave, so sometimes we’re there for two hours and other times it can be much longer. “We try very hard to treat each patient as the person they are, not just as someone who’s ill. We consider ourselves very privileged because we’re being allowed into their home at a very sensitive time when they only want to be with their loved ones. “I can’t say we don’t get attached to people, because
we do. It can be very hard at times and we do get sad, because we want to make things right for people and give them a comfortable death. We have to try and mentally switch off when we come away from a patient’s house, but it can be very difficult.” Anna’s office at St John’s Hospice is adorned with thank you cards from families the team has worked with. She says, “People are so grateful not only for the support we give their loved one, but for the support we give them as well. There was a man in his 80s who died a couple of weeks ago. He was an old English gent who had a very loving family. His wife was also elderly and terrified that she wouldn’t be able to give him his wish to die at home because of the care he needed. But our help made it possible and she sat holding his hand when he finally passed away. “If someone wants to die in their home it becomes
very important to the family, because it’s the last thing they can do for them. It also helps the patient remain calm because they’re surrounded by family and the home comforts they love. A parent or loved one dying stays with you for the rest of your life, so doing our job right is vitally important to us. Death is always sad, but if it happens with dignity it can bring great comfort in years to come.” The Candis Big Give raised enough money to provide Anna with an extra full-time healthcare assistant for one year, and paid for additional nurses to join the team when needed. Anna says, “Paula Hall, our healthcare assistant, and the additional nurses are making a vast difference. Before we could only afford to have two staff on duty each day, but now I always have four and can ask for more if demand is high. “We cover such a huge area it’s a godsend to be able
to provide more help to more people – and we couldn’t do it without the support of Candis Club members.”
Alongside the Hospice at Home service, St John’s Hospice in Lancaster has an inpatient unit with 20 beds for terminally ill people over the age of 18. It has occupational therapists, physiotherapists and social workers on site to help patients stay comfortable at the end of their life. The hospice also provides overnight
ST JOHN’S HOSPICE LANCASTER THE FACTS
accommodation for relatives, so they can stay with their loved ones, and it runs a bereavement support service to help families cope through such a difficult time.
PROJECT UPDATE
A total of £25,004 was raised in The Candis Big Give, which has been a huge help to the hospice. Not only has the money covered the cost of recruiting an additional Hospice at Home healthcare assistant for one year, but it has also helped pay for additional nurses when patient demand has been high. Plus it has contributed towards the salary costs of Anna Conlan who runs the Hospice at Home service. Thanks to the donations, the team is now able to provide 415 nursing hours – or 110 visits – every month, meaning more people can benefit from the service.
WWW.CANDIS.CO.UK | OCTOBER 2011 121
As told to Amy Salter Photos Jason Smalley
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