downsmail.co.uk
Hospice’s three-year plan to improve care
AN ambitious three-year strategy has been launched by the Heart of Kent Hospice to expand and en- hance the service it provides. The strategy, outlined by chief executive Sarah Pugh (pictured) in the charity’s annual review, identi- fies three key areas to take the hos- pice forward. These are:
Innovating – to reach out to more people in more ways with more services; Investing – in the workforce, staff and volunteers to increase income; Influencing – end-of-life care in the wider community by strength- ening relationships with other health care workers. During the year, the hospice ap- pointed its first head of outreach and first head of education and de- velopment. It also appointed awel- fare adviser to help patients and their families accesswelfare entitle- ments, easing the financial worry of coping with a terminal illness. Most significantly, it also created
a new role of dementia nurse spe- cialist and, since the post was es-
tablished, the hospice has seen a steady increase in the number of dementia patients and their fami- lies coming forward for end-of-life support – 75% more than previ- ously. The nurse not only works with
the patients nearing the end of their life, but also their families and car- ers who have to struggle with their day-to-day care. The hospice’s education and de-
velopment team has already begun influencing end of life care in the community and offers courses to teach care workers the methods and skills used in the hospice so
they can apply the same standards in residential homes in the area. The hospice has developed a close working relationship with the Loose Valley Care Centre, where manager Marisa Spice is anxious that her residents receive the best end-of-life care. Of the £5m needed to run the hospice for a year, 28% comes from voluntary and fundraising income, 25% from its charity shops, 21% from gifts in wills and trusts, 20% in grants, 5% from NHS England and a small amount from invest- ment income. Atotal of 28% more patientswere referred to the hospice for end-of- life care during 2014 and the hos- pice now supports about 40% of all patients in the area who died from a life-limiting illness. Mrs Pugh said:“We would like to
thank everyone who supported the hospice this year. Providing excep- tional end-of-life care to patients and their families in our local com- munity who need it most is only possible with your continued and generous support.”
News
Care firm move AN ORGANISATION which pro- vides specialist support to adults with disabilities has moved to Kings Hill. Future Home Care, a supported
living provider for adults in the community, has set up offices in Kings HillAvenue. Part of the Lifeways group, Fu-
ture Home Care supports more than 60 people in Maidstone and the surrounding area. The company supports people
with learning difficulties, autism, physical disabilities and mental health needs in a community set- ting. It also manages short breaks and a respite care service.
Guides’ appeal WATERINGBURY Guides are on the lookout for volunteers to help run the group. The Rainbows, Brownies, Guides
and Senior section meet at the vil- lage’s Guide and ScoutHQand the group would like to hear from qualified leaders or anyone inter- ested in becoming a leader. A disclosure and barring service
(DBS) check and some references would be required. Contact
brydonbrown@btinternet.com or
cpeal30@aol.com for details.
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