Clinical Services Archives - Page 9 of 9

Meet Tess Cleaver, Hospice @Home Manager

Posted on 16th January 2020 by Luke Brightmore

Tess Cleaver decided she wanted to work at East Cheshire Hospice when she attended an open day there five years ago.

She was a hospital staff nurse at the time and highly recommends working for the hospice which has now created two more nursing vacancies for qualified nurses.

Tess said: “The experience I gained as a hospital staff nurse was so valuable and I wouldn’t have done what I do here without that background.

“I applied here and was fortunate enough to be offered a full-time position on the inpatient unit as a staff nurse. When I attended an open day I thought this is the place where I’d like to be.

“I’ve never looked back and it’s a unique place to place to work. Everyone who works here, whether on the inpatient unit or in the Hospice @Home team, feels privileged to be here.”

Tess, who is now the Hospice @Home Manager, added: “We focus on holistic care and time is allowed for all duties, especially those patient-facing tasks. Everyone has heard of the Hospice and has some kind of experience, whether in a professional capacity or as a volunteer.

“The Hospice is also committed to developing staff through training, education and experience and the support from managers and colleagues is something you’ll never experience anywhere else.”

Fred Slater & the Dementia Companions

Posted on 16th January 2020 by Luke Brightmore

Cricket coach Fred Slater is completely bowled over by the way he has been welcomed into the fold at East Cheshire Hospice.

He became a volunteer in the Sunflower Centre a year ago and enjoys the company of people with dementia and their carers.

His next role as one of the charity’s Community Champions is a similar ‘buddy’ role in someone’s home, giving their carer vital respite for a few hours each week.

Fred, from Tytherington, said: “I’ve really enjoyed helping the Hospice. It’s so inspiring and I’ve learned so much from chatting to people within a group.

“It’s about finding out what makes individuals tick. You might get someone who doesn’t want to engage particularly, but you get a jigsaw out and suddenly they spring to life and they see the picture far better than me.

“The staff there are fabulous and I’ve learned so much. They’re so professional with their patience and caring approach and are the real unsung heroes of the service.

“We get a thorough background about who we’re looking after and in some ways I just fill around the edges.”

Fred, aged 66, worked for the English Cricket Board before retiring, but still coaches at King’s School, Macclesfield, and helps juniors at Macclesfield, Bollington and Ashley cricket clubs.

He regrets not taking his late father Fred to the Hospice for the sessions. “I didn’t know about the Sunflower Centre otherwise I’d have taken him there. He was an inspiration to me and now I’m retired this voluntary work is his legacy.

“Being matched with someone is an important small step for me on my journey and I’m looking forward to it.

“More than a dozen Community Champions visit homes but they don’t provide nursing care. They enjoy the company of individuals while their carers may go for a walk, shop or perhaps visit a library.

“The Sunflower Centre provides wonderful support and it’s re-assuring to know that expert staff are there as a safety net.”

Fred and fellow volunteers were finalists in the Volunteer Team of the Year at the 2019 North West Charity Awards.

Hospice @Home Second Anniversary

Posted on 18th October 2019 by Luke Brightmore

Hospice @Home has had a ‘massive impact’ since the service was set up by East Cheshire Hospice two years ago.

A growing number of patients are accessing the charity’s specialist palliative care services in the comfort of their own home.

Figures released on the second anniversary of the service show that so far Hospice@ Home staff have –

* Received 713 referrals.

* Made 6,815 home visits and 3,854 supportive telephone calls.

* Supported 412 people enabling them to die in their preferred place.

Tess Cleaver recently took over a new role as Hospice @Home Manager, having moved from the inpatient unit where she was a staff nurse.

She said: “Hospice @Home is about taking the excellent care we offer here in the inpatient unit and providing that in the community in people’s own homes.

“That was the vision for the service and that’s what’s being delivered. The impact has been massive.”

The service provides hands-on medical care, psychological support, symptom management, end-of- life care and care after death.

Nurses and co-ordinators work closely with other health care agencies, including GPs, district nurses, Macmillan and Marie Curie.

The service is ‘out-of-hours’ operating from 6.30 pm until 8 am and 24 hours at weekends.

Tess added: “If people can stay at home for their end-of-life care it avoids unwanted hospital admissions.

“Families try to do everything they can to look after their loved one and keep them at home but sometimes it becomes too much and they can’t help them in the way they’d like any more.

“Typically, a patient might need assistance with getting ready for bed, having a wash or going to the bathroom at 2 am. For them and their family that’s a crisis.

“That’s when our services come in to support the family. If no care were available, they may want to get them into hospital and because we’re helping we avoid those situations and that helps the NHS.”

Hospice @Home costs £2.2m for the first five years and is funded entirely by donors.

Tess said: “We wouldn’t be able to offer this service without the donors’ commitment so we’d like to thank them.

“People can’t put into words their gratitude for our service which involves collaborative working between several agencies. The need for those services will only become greater.”

Community Champion Open Day

Posted on 18th October 201931st December 2019 by Luke Brightmore

Could you give up a couple of hours a week to help someone with dementia?

East Cheshire Hospice is inviting the public to attend an event next Monday (Oct 7) to hear what is involved.

The charity already has a dozen Community Champions who are companions for those living with dementia and more volunteers are needed.

The information meeting is at the Hospice on Millbank Drive starting at 10 am with talks from those involved followed by general discussion ending at 11 am.

The Hospice’s Admiral Nurse Debbie Callow said: “It’s a chance to come and learn more and meet some of the team and with no pressure to sign up.

“Our service helps provide companionship to a person living with mild dementia, while allowing their carer to have some time to themselves.

“The volunteer won’t provide personal care – their role is one of friendship and they’re fully supported by the Hospice.

“Our volunteers say it’s a highly rewarding role and they enjoy giving something back and making a difference.”

Debbie is the Hospice’s first specialist dementia nurse, a post created in June recognising the charity’s forward-thinking approach to the illness.

Statistics show that more than 850,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with dementia, a number expected to increase, while a quarter of over 65s in hospital beds have the illness.

Debbie said: “Education is the key, whether it’s carers or professionals, to making life easier for those with dementia so they can live well.

“Dementia doesn’t just affect the person with the diagnosis – spouses, partners and family and friends are all affected as well.

“Part of my job is raising awareness and I love the energy and environment of working here. There’s a really nice feeling which you get walking round the building.”

People can just turn up on Monday at 10 am with no need to book. For more details call Volunteer Co-ordinator Helena Smith on 01625 664984 or email hsmith@echospice.org.uk.

* Admiral Nurses were so named by the family of Joseph Levy, whose family founded Dementia UK. He had vascular dementia and was known affectionately as ‘Admiral Joe’ because of his love of sailing.