Services are a 'revelation' at the hospice

The comments came from people who were using the services as part of the long term care they receive.

Not all patients that come into the hospice are approaching the end of their life but they do have a palliative diagnosis. Palliative care means supporting people with an advanced progressive illness, and sometimes this lasts for years.

Among the many comments, one patient said: “This course has been a revelation for myself, I was unaware that these places existed and I would love to continue to attend.”

Another said: “I really enjoyed the course and have met some lovely nursing staff and counsellors and made new friends. I had fun doing a few activities and learnt a lot of how to cope and help myself a bit more. Thank you to all involved.”

Bosses say that one of the greatest benefits to patients is the support they get from mixing with like-minded people.

Hospice chief executive Tracy Woodall said: “The Hospice Day Services support people with a range of conditions and we run many projects through these services by working in partnership with the clinical commissioners and local authority to identify need.”

She highlighted the Breathlessness Support Programme as one great example, for the way it helped people with long term respiratory conditions to reduce anxiety related breathlessness.

She said: “We also worked with another local hospice to ensure as many patients as possible could take part.

“Every patient on the Hartlepool programme benefitted from the service with only one patient admitted to hospital during the course of the programme.”

Most patients said peer support and social inclusion were the greatest benefit they received and “many of these patients continue to use our day services well after the end of the programme,” said Tracy

She described how the support of an experienced team of doctors and nurses, meant patients and their families and carers feel confident that they are in good hands.

For more information about the services the Hospice offers contact [email protected] or call (01429) 855555.