Clinical Services Archives - Page 4 of 8 - East Cheshire Hospice
01625 610364
Skip to content

Category: Clinical Services

Kevin Sinfield OBE has backed East Cheshire Hospice’s latest venture

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Prolific fundraiser Kevin Sinfield OBE has backed East Cheshire Hospice’s latest venture.

The former Rugby League star sent a goodwill video message to fundraisers at an inaugural event to raise awareness of motor neurone disease.

The special MND day at Macclesfield Rugby Club raised almost £4,000, with proceeds shared between the MND Association and the Hospice.

Walkers take part in a wheel challenge

Supporters completed laps of the car park on wheels, an idea inspired by carer Jan Gates and implemented by Hospice senior physiotherapist Natalie Nye who organised the pilot event along with colleague Jill Harding.

Jan, whose husband Mike has MND, attends popular monthly support meetings which have been at the Hospice since 2017 and are led by a team of health professionals from there.

Jill, a health care assistant, said: “Considering the progressive  nature of the disease, those who attend our MND Wellbeing Days are the most upbeat positive people you could ever wish to meet and they’ll usually find a reason to laugh about something during the session.

“They’re a unique group of people and I can’t pay them a big enough compliment.”

Patients and carers are invited to attend the monthly Wellbeing sessions where a topic is discussed each time.

Subjects range from managing fatigue, advice about sleep and relaxation, advanced care planning, aids to communication and travel help.

The inaugural motor neurone day was a huge success.

Carers access peer support in a separate room and both patients and their carer can enjoy a relaxing complementary therapy during the sessions which are supported by volunteers including trained visitors from the MND Association.

Jill said: “It was about raising awareness of MND in collaboration with the Hospice. We couldn’t hold it there because of ongoing refurbishment work at the Sunflower Wellbeing Centre and Jan had the idea of patients and relatives doing laps using wheels as a mode of transport.

“We had wheelchairs, wheelbarrows, scooters and bikes and everyone joined in the spirit of the occasion for two great causes. The rugby club were brilliant hosts and we plan to make it an even bigger event next year.”

Natalie and Jill dressed as sunflowers to represent the Hospice emblem and volunteered for an ice bucket challenge in lieu of a minimum £50 charity donation. Prizes were donated and cake sales boosted the fundraising total.

New member in the Hospice @Home team

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Mum Cheryl McDonald is one of the newest recruits at East Cheshire Hospice.

As a part-time health care assistant, she visits patients in their own homes as part of the Hospice @Home unit.

Cheryl has vast experience, having spent her entire career caring for people of all ages.

Yet she admits joining the Hospice in May was one of her best moves.

Cheryl said: “I’m still finding my feet, but already realise what a lovely place it is to work. I’d recommend it.

Health care assistant Cheryl McDonald with four-year-old son Nate.

“It’s a nice environment and as you walk down the corridors everyone is so friendly and everywhere so clean.”

Cheryl is still part of the bank team at Macclesfield and District General Hospital where she spent seven years, including spells in the same day emergency care unit and A and E.

She said: “I’m trained to take bloods so it keeps those skills. I work there a few hours each month. You have to do your bit to support the NHS don’t you?

“There are different pressures in a hospital where you can look after between 40 to 50 patients, whereas Hospice @Home means visiting one patient at a time.

“You concentrate on them and get to know the family and more about the patient.

“It’s so rewarding. You’re helping the person and their family and sometimes you’re the only person a patient may see in a day.

“You can signpost them to where they may need further help. It’s nice to know you can help those choosing to die at home.

“Not everyone wants to die in hospital, while the Hospice is also available if they choose to become an inpatient.”

Cheryl spent 10 years helping disabled children as Cheshire East co-ordinator at Carers Trust4all, having trained as a nursery nurse after leaving school.

Cheryl said: “Hospitals can be clinical and if someone passes away with a cardiac arrest you haven’t got to know that patient. Then it’s on to the next patient and that’s how it works.

“With Hospice @Home you’re able to build up a rapport, sitting with a patient and holding their hand and providing the comfort they need.

“There’s no pressure and you can sit with them for an hour if they wish. Nothing’s rushed.

“At hospital, we’ve sat with patients in their final hours too. They’re comfortable and no one is ever left alone.”

* To apply for a staff nurse vacancy visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/our-current-vacancies.

Sunflower Centre Refurbishment

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

A major project is under way to transform the Sunflower Wellbeing Centre at East Cheshire Hospice.

Work on the £1.25m refurbishment began last month and is expected to be completed in January 2024.

The modern stylish complex will be much better equipped to meet a rapidly growing need for the charity’s services.

A computer image of the new Sunflower Wellbeing Centre.

Patient and carer capacity is expected to more than double from a current weekly rate of 179 to 400 within two years of completion.

Crucially, more services will operate simultaneously and in the evenings and at weekends.

The extended seven-day working will facilitate greater community engagement, improving integration with the local healthcare strategy of everyone living well for longer.

The Sunflower Centre – the hub of the Hospice’s outpatient services – opened as a day care centre with the Hospice welcoming its first day patients in May 2000. The facility has been extended since but is now outdated and unable to meet demand.

Rachel Allcock, Income Generation Director at the Hospice, said: “The new Sunflower Wellbeing Centre will be a valuable resource for the community. We anticipate being able to accommodate local support groups and other community activities.

“It’s an exciting project and something we’ve wanted to carry out for a long time, but just haven’t been able to do.

“The previous centre served us well, but was no longer fit for purpose. We’ve saved money over time to fund the project, knowing that at some stage we wanted to undertake this work.

“We’ve also applied for specific grants and trust donations so that no income from fundraising which covers day-to-day running costs will be used.”

Rachel Allcock, Income Generation Director at East Cheshire Hospice.

The Sunflower entrance is located to the side of the main reception which is unaffected by the changes.

The radical new design was developed over three years, based on patient, staff and volunteer experiences.

The refurbishments have sustainability in mind, with running costs not expected to increase significantly since the operational floor space is only slightly extended.

The new-look Sunflower Wellbeing Centre.

Any increased heating costs due to extended opening hours will be partly offset by using more efficient heating/cooling systems and a solar-panelled roof.

The projected number of users excludes off-site programmes co-ordinated by the Sunflower team. It also excludes separate work to expand dementia services into community venues.

In total, the Hospice will reach an estimated 1,360 people, some 80 per cent of those living with, or dying from, a life-limiting illness.

Future-Proofing Hospice Facilities

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Day hospice services have been temporarily moved to other areas for six months during refurbishment work.

The Hospice is adapting facilities, including using the Chapel to accommodate patients.

Some will access outpatient services remotely as happened successfully during Covid. The experiences from that crisis period have been invaluable planning contingencies during the building phase.

The pandemic put a major strain on the Hospice with the effects of the virus still being felt.

Rachel Allcock, Director of Income Generation, said: “We are getting patients coming to us much later in diagnosis who are really poorly because they didn’t want to burden the NHS with their symptoms during Covid.

“It’s a similar story at other hospices although the after-effects of Covid should be temporary. The main reason, though, for a projected rise in patient numbers is an ageing population.

“The refurbished Sunflower Wellbeing Centre will give us the perfect opportunity to re-launch existing services, promote new activity and collaborate with health care professionals, faith and community groups to increase our overall support for the communities we serve.

A glimpse of the future at East Cheshire Hospice.

“We’re hoping to cater for people at every stage of their journey and for all disease groups, including drop-in facilities for the newly-diagnosed.

“Our aim is to encompass that whole need rather than the limited need in a building only able to host one thing at a time.”

Many more volunteers will be needed to help deliver the expanded services.

A glimpse of the future at East Cheshire Hospice.

Lucy Roberts tells an emotional family story

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Lucy Roberts tells an emotional family story in the promotional video.

East Cheshire Hospice hope the powerful personal account encourages businesses and other groups to join its 500 club.

Lucy said in the film: “Today a really lovely family has just lost their grandpa. Charlie had four lovely grandchildren who all came to visit.

Lucy checks a patient’s medication chart.

“They were so thankful and pleased he could spend his last few days at the Hospice. We gave the kids one of our special memory teddies and books to help with their grieving process.

“The teddies are handmade by our volunteers and Charlie had a matching one that will be buried with him.

“This didn’t just comfort the children but it also helped the parents who were nervous about bringing their children to visit their poorly grandpa.

“We care for families like Charlie’s daily and without the support from our local community we simply couldn’t do this.

Arriving for work… Lucy prepares to go on the ward.

“We help them make those special memories in a calm and peaceful environment, whether it’s a phone call to the concerned carer, a difficult question answered compassionately, or a final uninterrupted and peaceful conversation with a loved one.

“The Hospice know every single minute counts when facing an illness and we’re dedicated to enabling families to spend those precious moments together.

“Your donation of £500 could provide a weekend of care to families likes Charlie’s, making all the difference at a time when it matters the most.”

Dementia Companion John Gray shares his story

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Volunteer John Gray is hoping others follow in his footsteps by becoming a dementia companion for East Cheshire Hospice.

The retired engineer spends two hours a week going for a walk and a coffee with a dementia patient.

The Hospice needs more volunteers and John has a simple message for anyone tempted to help.

East Cheshire Hospice volunteer John Gray.

He said: “Give it a go. I find it extremely rewarding and it’s nice to give something back.”

John only started six months ago once renovations on his new home in Macclesfield were finished. He and wife Susan moved from St Helens to Macclesfield to be closer to their daughter.

He said: “When we were finally settled in the house I thought it was time I did some volunteering and contacted the Hospice.

“The man I go out with has become a friend. His short-term memory isn’t good but we manage fine and he brings his dog along. We always fit a coffee stop into our route.

“The break gives his wife who cares for him valuable respite and an opportunity to do something else for a couple of hours.

“I’d recommend getting involved and I know the Hospice are keen to recruit more dementia companions.

“The support from the Hospice is fantastic. They help you every step of the way.” John is also a ward volunteer for the charity.

Angela O’Mahony, from the Hospice volunteering team, said: “We’re looking for friendly, caring people willing to give a few hours every week to offer companionship to someone experiencing dementia. Volunteers are given full training and support.

“Caring for someone can be a tough job and wearing no matter how much we love them. Both the carer and the person experiencing dementia will benefit from a change of scene once a week.

“Every case varies with different circumstances, but it’s about connecting with that person. Our volunteers love working with people, it’s interesting and rewarding.

“We rely heavily on our volunteers and without them the Hospice wouldn’t be here.”

* Contact Angela on 01625 610364, or email angela.omahony@echospice.org.uk

National Volunteers Week has been running in the first week of June. The Hospice has a team of 375 volunteers who do a range of roles working at the charity’s headquarters and in the community.

Memory Tree launches at East Cheshire Hospice

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

A beautiful Memory Tree will be unveiled shortly at East Cheshire Hospice to honour lost loved ones.

Supporters are invited to dedicate a leaf engraved with a short message to someone special.

The metal sculpture will be easily accessible in a discreet location within gardens at the back of the Hospice on Millbank Drive.

The subscription cost is £10 a month, or £120 for a year.

The tree also marks the 35th anniversary of the charity which cared for its first patient in February 1988.

Employees from AstraZeneca, which has supported the Hospice throughout its history, have gifted the new memorial.

Some 400 copper, silver and bronze leaves are available and subscribers do not need a link to the Hospice.

Typical leaves for the Memory Tree.

Individual Giving Fundraiser Beth England said: “The Memory Tree is a wonderful way to leave a lasting tribute to the lives of those we wish to celebrate and remember.

“The tree can be reached without going through the main entrance. There is parking at the back of our building and visitors can come along at any time.

“There are benches and privacy, making it the perfect place to reflect and remember a loved one.

“The tree is there for family, friends and supporters and will raise vital donations to the Hospice. Each leaf can be inscribed with a short message if donors wish.

“Your leaf will remain on the tree for a year, at which point you can choose to either renew its place for a further year or we can return the leaf to you to treasure forever.”

Adult bereavement services manager Helen Wilkinson said: “The Memory Tree is a unique way of remembering lost loved ones.

From left, volunteer chaplain Chris Newton, chaplain Marion Tugwood, fundraisers Beth England and Amy Williams and adult bereavement services manager Helen Wilkinson at the Memory Tree launch at a soggy Starlight Walk.

“We all have our own way of looking back on the lives of those dear to us and the tree is a focal point in a lovely quiet setting. ”

Helen attended the Memory Tree launch at last month’s Starlight Walk, with chaplain Marion Tugwood and volunteer chaplain Chris Newton.

The walk attracted around 400 walkers, raising more than £27,000 for the charity.

* To sign up to the Memory Tree visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/memory-tree.

For queries, contact amy.williams@echospice.org.uk or call 01625 665688.

10 Years of Childhood Bereavement Counselling

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is difficult, especially for children.

That is why East Cheshire Hospice set up a childhood bereavement service 10 years ago.

It helps those who have lost someone close, whether a parent, grandparent, brother or sister, friend or neighbour.

Children between 4 and 18 access the service, having suffered a bereavement in the previous three years, or having a close family member with a life-limiting illness. They do not need a link to the Hospice.

Sue Bower became the Hospice’s Children and Young People Bereavement Service Lead in January.

She said: “Children experience grief differently to adults. Their understanding develops as they get older. They may request support at different times.

“There’s a demand for our services. We don’t like to keep people waiting, so if we can’t see children quickly, we support carers with advice, or signpost them for different support.

“Counselling a child is different to an adult. Adults come with their agenda, they can have a lot more power and say over their lives, whereas a child doesn’t have that same control.”

Sue has vast experience of working with children, starting counselling training while managing a nursery for 13 years.

She has been at the Hospice for seven years, working with former colleagues Jane Burton and Lindsay Dobson, who established the service.

Sue Bower, Children and Young People Bereavement Service Lead at East Cheshire Hospice.

Sue said: “We get referrals from schools, doctors, mental health organisations, the hospice, community networks and word of mouth. Carers can refer children.

“Children express feelings differently to adults. Counselling takes place in a safe space away from everything else and is done creatively, sometimes through storytelling, or play. Creative play helps young children use their imaginary world to process feelings. Young people feel at ease to talk.

“We can provide online and telephone support.

“It’s often not just mum and dad who are the secure attachment or ‘important person’ for a child. It could be a friend, or neighbour, who’s been like a grandma or auntie to them.

“If an ‘important person’ dies, it’s a big deal for a child to manage. Some cope well with help around them, but sometimes they just need our extra support.

“The family are often happier that children are being helped. They feel supported too.

Sue Bower, Children and Young People Bereavement Service Lead at East Cheshire Hospice.

“Any loss has an incredible impact on life. It’s the ripple effect like a pebble dropping in the water. If everyone is in a little boat and you drop bereavement in, everyone gets bumped and knocked about in a different way.

“That experience stays with you it never goes away. In bereavement work, we’re always growing life around that loss which never goes away.

“It’s how we help children become resilient, preparing them for the next loss, because there’ll be more in our lives.

“Our lives present layers of loss and change. Carrying on without important people   is a massive thing for children to manage.

“The nature of therapeutic work is privacy and sensitivity, but our service is much appreciated and valued.”

* For more details call 01625 666994.

Singing Together’s new venue!

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Singing and dancing is putting a spring in the step of dementia patients at East Cheshire Hospice.

Live monthly musical entertainment at Broken Cross Club is the perfect remedy for them.

Classes had to move from the Hospice’s Sunflower Wellbeing Centre due to their popularity.

Around 50 Singing Together members meet between 10.30 am and noon on the first Friday of each month.

From left, singer Tony Boyle with volunteers Ann Marriott, Tessa Hughes and Tracey O’Keefe and Hospice staff Debbie Callow and Paul Dale.

They enjoy a musical trip down memory lane, while entertained by singer and guitarist Tony Boyle.

The sessions are run by Admiral Nurse Debbie Callow and dementia nurse Paul Dale, a committee member at Broken Cross.

Debbie said: “We’d outgrown the Hospice premises and had reached the point where we were going to have to start turning people away. We didn’t want to do that so looked for an alternative venue.

“The club have been brilliant and we can’t thank the manager Linda Longden enough.

Enjoying the spotlight….dancers Richard and Rosemary Yorke.

“We have a proper dance floor. One wheelchair user couldn’t really join in before on the carpet at the Hospice and had difficulty moving around easily.

“Now her carer spins her round the dance floor and she’s joining in which is lovely to see.

“Patients don’t necessarily have to dance and the sessions definitely have a positive impact on people.

“Some might not communicate as much, but if the right song comes on it just triggers something and suddenly they’re up dancing.

“A lady came last month for the first time and her daughter had to plead with her to get out of the car to come in. She didn’t want to do it, but by the end had made lots of friends and told us how much she loved it and asked if she could return.

Strutting their stuff…the Singing Together group get into the groove. 

“Someone may be losing their ability to have a conversation and forget certain words, yet put a song on and they can remember all the words.

“The brain remembers anything with rhythm differently to everyday language. Singing helps trigger memories.”

Patients need a dementia diagnoses to attend. Contact 01625 666990 for more details from the Hospice.

Linda has worked at Broken Cross for more than 20 years, the last 14 as manager.

She said: “We’re delighted to hire out the room free of charge to the Hospice, as we do for all fundraising events held in aid of the charity. Our members are always keen to help such a wonderful local cause.”

Sarah Dale Awarded British Empire Medal

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Sarah Dale BEM, Quality and Innovation Director, East Cheshire Hospice

 

East Cheshire Hospice Director and nurse, Sarah Dale, has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the King’s New Year Honours list for services to palliative and end of life care.

Sarah, from Macclesfield, has played a significant role in the development of the Hospice over the past 17 years, experience that she put to good use by creating a Hospice @Home service which proved indispensable during the pandemic.

Starting as a hospice nurse back in 2005, Sarah’s dedication and endless reserves of compassion made her a perfect fit for work in palliative and end of life care. As she rose through the clinical grades, she gained insights from patients and family members which would help inform her practice as a leader and her skill in developing high quality, highly effective services for the people of Cheshire and beyond.

Promoted to Director of Quality and Innovation in 2017, Sarah continues to work tirelessly to ensure people at end of life get the best possible care, not just for the communities in northeast Cheshire but nationwide, as she supports other hospices to develop their care services. Knowing how tight budgets are for charities and the NHS, Sarah was undaunted by the prospect of having to help raise the money to get services off the ground. This meant a hike up the Himalayas with a stint helping out at an end of life facility in Kathmandu.

Her work recently has been to champion equality, diversity and inclusion in end of life care to guarantee that no one is excluded from accessing the services they need when and where they need them.

Sarah is married to Paul, a Mental Health Nurse, and they have two grown up daughters as well as a host of pets to look after. An accomplished cook, host and cake maker, Sarah’s creations have lit up many joyful gatherings at home and at the Hospice.

On hearing the news of the honour, Sarah said:

“I was shocked when I opened the mail from the Cabinet Office; to be honest I thought it might be a hoax. Once it sank in, I realised what a privilege it is to receive this award and I feel honoured that the work my colleagues and I have done to improve palliative care services for patients and families in east Cheshire has received such recognition.

“I’m always delighted for any opportunity to shine a light on the important work being carried out at the Hospice and my hope is that we can share learning and service models with our friends in our local healthcare system as well as other hospices so the work we are doing can have an even wider impact.”

Karyn Johnston, East Cheshire Hospice Chief Executive, said:

“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of such recognition than Sarah. She has given her all in the service of people facing the toughest challenge of their life, as well as to her colleagues, friends and family. We who have the privilege of working with her every day know how truly fortunate we are.

“What she has achieved for end of life patients and families in east Cheshire, as well as within the other hospices she supports, proves her commitment to making quality compassionate community care available to everyone who needs it.”

Sign up to news and event updates
Follow us on