Category: Staff

Mixing with William and Kate and other royals at an afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace was the crowning glory for Sarah Dale BEM.

Sarah and husband Paul, a mental health specialist, were invited to the garden party in recognition of her award of the British Empire Medal in the King’s first New Year Honours List.

Sarah is Director of Quality and Innovation at East Cheshire Hospice and was honoured for services to palliative and end-of-life care.

Sarah and Paul Dale at Buckingham Palace.

In 2017, she led the setting up of the charity’s Hospice @Home service which has been a great addition to healthcare provision in east Cheshire.

The Macclesfield couple attended the VIP event in the palace gardens a week after Sarah received her medal at Tatton Hall from Lady Redmond MBE, Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire.

Sarah said: “It was quite a surreal experience at Buckingham Palace and a lovely occasion which we really enjoyed.

“We arrived early and wandered round outside with other tourists before police put up barriers explaining there was an event.

“When we said we were invited, we didn’t have to move and were first in queue as the palace gates opened. It was nice to meet representatives from different organisations.”

A proud day …  Sarah Dale with parents Chris and Gill Newton.

The garden party – three days after the King’s coronation – was hosted by the Prince and Princess of Wales, Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Royal and was attended by other royals.

Sarah said her honour was as much for the Hospice and her colleagues. She said: “It wasn’t solely for me. I helped implement and plan Hospice @Home but so many people were involved in fundraising, planning and actually delivering the care.

“They’re the real heroes. The nursing staff inside and outside the Hospice need special acknowledgement for doing such an amazing job.

“The work done to launch the service and extend our reach out into the community was behind the nomination which was made by our ambassadors.”

Sarah Dale with her BEM award. From left, Sarah, Lord Lieutenant Lady Redmond MBE, daughter Kayleigh, father Chris and mum Gill.

The Tatton presentation was attended by Hospice Chief Executive Karyn Johnston and Sarah’s parents Chris and Gill Newton, both Hospice volunteers. Chris is a chaplain and Gill helps with flowers.

Chris’ mother Gladys (96) died in the Hospice two years ago. Sarah said: “Our whole family is really invested in giving back for what the Hospice did for nan. She got the best care and was treated like a queen when she came in, like everyone else is.”

The newest registered nurse on the ward at East Cheshire Hospice is a familiar face.

Carly Forrester is celebrating passing her exams after almost eight years with the Hospice.

She started off as a health care assistant before becoming an assistant practitioner and then taking an 18-month nursing course.

Carly has worked in the care sector for 16 years, experiencing various medical settings.

The hospice world is her favourite and especially East Cheshire Hospice which has supported her career ambitions.

Carly said: “It’s a privilege to work somewhere so close to my heart. I always wanted to work in palliative care and developed my skills so I can use them where I want to be.

Carly Forrester who has passed her nursing exams.

“I’ve wanted to be a nurse since I was about 12 and knew about the Hospice from my previous work in care.

“They were extremely supportive during my training and I’d like to thank our Learning and Development Adviser Anna Redfern, in particular, for sorting out my placements and helping me when needed.”

Carly spent time in hospital operating theatres and mental health units as part of course placements from Staffordshire University.

“Working elsewhere has confirmed just how good the Hospice is. I’m not being biased, but the care here is second to none.

“I don’t see the team work and support given here to the same extent anywhere else. The Hospice is like a big family, whereas there isn’t that same vibe between professionals elsewhere.”

Carly enjoys making candles and now her studies are over hopes to find more time for her hobby.

She has no hesitation recommending a nursing career.

Nurse Carly Forrester who has been with East Cheshire Hospice for nearly eight years.   

“I’d say do it and don’t be put off by any negative comments. If you find an area you want to be in like me with the Hospice you won’t regret it. You’ll love it and hopefully excel.

“My main goal is ensuring patients are safe and happy. To facilitate a good death and be there with them in their final days.

“That means providing comfort and re-assurance for patients, their families and friends and enabling them to spend time with loved ones at such a difficult time.

“I enjoy working in palliative and end-of-life care, whereas some nurses might want to make people better.

“My message is do what you want. Nursing opens up so many doors and you get plenty of support from your employers and university.”

East Cheshire Hospice has been recognised for its excellent work towards its net zero target.

The Hospice won the Progress Towards Carbon Neutrality prize at the East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Awards.

Judges were impressed by the management’s strategy to reduce costs, freeing up funds for the care of patients and their families.

The panel were also struck by the ‘passion and buy-in from the Hospice teams and that community to deliver truly exceptional progress in reducing its carbon footprint.’

The Hospice has placed great emphasis on caring for the environment as well as patients.

A sustainability group representing staff, volunteers and trustees co-ordinates an eco plan.

It is embedding energy saving into daily practice to ensure fundraising revenue goes to patient care rather than meeting higher utility bills.

The Hospice sustainability group with the award. From left, Claire Duncan, Beth England, Louise Delany, Michelle Walker-Brown, Lisa Ball and Rachel Allcock.

Corporate Fundraiser Lisa Ball said: “We’re incredibly proud of this award and the work leading to it. However, this is only the start of our sustainability journey and we continue our efforts to make our Hospice as eco-friendly as possible.”

The Hospice received the Partnership Cup as their prize at the event. The symbolic oak flask is awarded each year for progress towards carbon neutrality.

The Hospice has led the way among north west hospices striving for more sustainability and shares its wide-ranging initiatives with other facilities.

These include efficiencies on electricity, recycling, solar panels, food and cleaning products.

Death Cafe is the headline-grabbing name of the newest initiative run by East Cheshire Hospice.

The first meeting will be held at the Hope Centre at Park Green on Saturday, April 22 (5.30 pm -7 pm).

All are welcome to attend to chat about death and dying while having a cup of tea and a piece of cake.

The facilitator at the free event will be Hospice chaplain Marion Tugwood and a representative from the Cheshire End of Life Partnership.

Marion said: “There’s no agenda and we’re not trying to force any particular belief on anyone, or sell any products or services.

“This casual, relaxed forum allows us to talk freely and confidentially about a subject many people probably haven’t really thought about.

“It’s not a counselling, or support group. Death and dying is often a taboo subject, but the aim is to make it a topic of conversation it’s okay to have.”

Death Cafes have been running globally since 2011 and have increased in popularity since the pandemic.

Marion Tugwood, chaplain at East Cheshire Hospice.

Marion said: “Each session is run slightly differently, but they share a similar ethos which is to create a space for people to discuss death in a safe and supportive environment.

“It’s the first time the Hospice has signed up to this concept. The aim is to normalise discussion around death, so if a friend or family member has an end-of-life diagnosis you’re not afraid to talk to them about it in a sensitive way.

“At the moment, people often express their sadness and then stay away. Half a century ago no one talked about sex, whereas now it’s hard to get away from the subject. We’d like to see the same change around the topic of death. We’re encouraging people to just turn up and let’s see where the conversation goes.”

Marion joined the Hospice at the end of last year and has been overwhelmed by the welcome she has received.

She said: “It’s the best job ever. It’s fantastic and I’ve learned so much about the Hospice and met some wonderful people. It’s been a privilege to be alongside patients and their families at the end-of-life.”

Marion has also introduced Sunday at Six, a short act of Christian worship with prayers, music, readings and reflection in the Chapel. The gatherings are held every Sunday.

She was a founder of the Street Angels project which sees volunteers provide late-night help in the town centre on Saturdays.

East Cheshire Hospice will give out wooden medals after its Starlight Walk at Capesthorne Hall on Thursday, April 27.

They will replace metal mementoes, while  T-shirts will not be issued to walkers, as part of environmental savings.

In addition, the Hospice may plant a commemorative tree for the King’s coronation in May, as a reminder of the pandemic and offsetting PPE used.

Sarah Dale BEM, Quality and Innovation Director at the Hospice, said: “We must use PPE for patient contacts to prevent the spread of any infection, not just Covid.

“Safety was ramped up during Covid and gloves and aprons are still always used for infection control. But now restrictions have eased, we don’t have to consistently wear masks.

Hospice analysts Paul Jones (left) and Conor Stubbs show off energy saving measures. 

“However, we’re encouraging staff to be more mindful of simple savings, like switching off lights in store rooms in clinical areas.”

Rachel Allcock, Director of Income Generation, said: “Some things we can control and some we can’t. For instance, we must dispose of medicines properly in a certain way which might not be environmentally friendly.

“We want to focus on the things we can influence and do the best we can. We’ve a responsibility to those supporters donating money to show that we don’t just provide care, but do so in a sustainable long-term way.”

East Cheshire leads the way among north west hospices striving for more sustainability and shares best practice with other facilities.

The Hospice is nominated for a Chamber of Commerce award for its investment in environmental work.

East Cheshire Hospice is caring for the environment as well as patients.

An environmental sustainability group representing staff, volunteers and trustees is aiming to make the Hospice even greener.

The charity has already taken significant measures in the last year to become more sustainable and now wants to go even further.

Staff and volunteers have received questionnaires and monthly calendars with suggestions for saving energy, at home and work.

Ideas from the survey are being incorporated into a more co-ordinated eco plan.

Governance Co-ordinator Claire Duncan said: “We have a duty to the planet to educate people and make them more aware of what we’re doing.

“We also have a duty to the Hospice. Not just now, but in 50 years as well.

“Much progress has been made already, but collectively we want to be more savvy so we can further reduce our carbon footprint.

“It’s important we make energy saving part of our everyday thinking and embedded into our daily practice.

“This isn’t about saving costs, although that’s also a benefit. We don’t want our fundraising revenue paying for extra gas and electricity bills. We want that money to go to patients.

The East Cheshire Hospice group set up to improve environmental sustainability.

“If we can reduce our bills, that means more funds for patient-facing services.

“The calendars have suggestions about helping the environment, such as using ceramic rather than plastic cups at the coffee machine. Or donating poppy bulbs as an act of remembrance in November, rather than buying fireworks.

“Staff have these calendars at home and do monthly challenges with their families.”

Stickers identifying plug sockets to switch off at night are a small way of helping at the Hospice.

Rachel Allcock, Director of Income Generation, said: “The survey shows that staff and volunteers aren’t really aware of what we do.

“Some things aren’t obvious. For example, all our waste goes in one bin and is separated and recycled by waste management contractors. But volunteers thought we don’t do recycling as everything goes in a single bin.

“Patients, families and supporters couldn’t see the work we’re doing, much of it invisible. We want to make people aware that we’re committed to doing all we can.”

The Hospice will install solar panels, while catering and housekeeping activities have already improved efficiency.

The Hospice is helped with its green goals by AstraZeneca, while an energy supplier will carry out a professional audit under its corporate social responsibility remit.