Hospice extends services to meet growing demand for care
Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity has announced that it is planning to increase the size of its community nursing team this year, as well as adding new roles to its patient well-being services.
With a growing and ageing population in Buckinghamshire, the demand for dedicated hospice care is steadily increasing, and the level of care required becoming more complex.
Two new Clinical Nurse Specialist roles have been created to join the existing team who deliver care in patients’ homes across Buckinghamshire and its borders. Clinical Nurse Specialists are often a patient’s first introduction to hospice care and a key bridge between the patient and other healthcare professionals such as GPs and District Nurses.
“Clinical Nurse Specialists offer patients the time and expertise to answer their questions and reassure them about what to expect,” says Liz Monaghan, Matron at the Hospice . “They build important relationships with patients’ families so that they can trust that their loved one will be treated as an individual, with love, care and dignity, whatever care they need in future.
Christina’s mum, Alison, was recently cared for at her home in North Marston by the Hospice’s Community Nursing Team. Gemma, one of the Hospice’s Clinical Nurse Specialists, supported Alison and her family over the summer, paying regular visits to her home to discuss her care plans, help her to manage her pain and ensure she had the equipment she needed to be cared for at home.
“Mum was adamant that she wanted to stay at home,” Christina told us. “The nurses from Florence Nightingale Hospice were great and the hugs I received when needed kept me going. Gemma and Sharon were a fabulous support for me and my Dad. I am so glad that they were there to help me fulfil Mum’s wish.”
In additional to these community roles, the charity is investing in its patient well-being services which improve patients’ quality of life. A new Therapy Support Worker and Lymphoedema Nurse will join the team and the Occupational Therapist role is being extended to be able to support more patients.
“We are delighted to be able to grow our services and support even more patients and their families through the toughest times. It is only with thanks to our supporters that we are able to invest in this expansion of hospice care in Buckinghamshire, which will require over an additional £250,000 of funding each year.” says Jo Turner, CEO of the charity. “We are committed to ensuring that every patient in Buckinghamshire is able to access excellent hospice care when they need it and will continue to develop our services to ensure we are meeting this goal.”