Winter 2011 - Wigan & Leigh Hospice

A PATIENT TREKKER
FUNRAISING
THREE SPECIAL YOUNG BETHANYS
GIFTS
CHIEF MEMORIES EXEC RETIRES
DID YOU KNOW ?
over 90p of every pound
donated to the Hospice
goes directly to patient
care!
Around 450 ladies walked
in our 2011 Wigan & Leigh
Hospice STAR TREKKERS
sponsored walk.
Hospice patient Susan
Willey desperately wanted
to take part in support of
the Hospice, but was not
well enough to walk the
route.
Susan says, “I am a patient at the Hospice and I cannot do enough for the
Hospice. I want everyone to know what a wonderful, caring organisation it is.
It all began with visits from a Hospice-based Social Worker who started me on
an amazing journey of discovery. I was encouraged to consider Day Hospice
but was full of trepidation.
I was expecting it to be drab, miserable and upsetting, but Jane, the Day
Hospice Manager persuaded me to ‘give it a try’. I couldn’t have been more
wrong. It started with the two brilliant volunteer Hospice drivers. Bert and
Keith put me at ease straight away. They were so re-assuring and soon they
became good friends.
When I arrived at the Hospice, it was like walking into a 5 star hotel. The only
difference being, that the service at the Hospice was better! The first time I
walked through the door, I had one of those ‘eye-opening’ experiences. It is
incredible. The staff, volunteers and other patients are fantastic. The food is
wonderful and the building is ‘state of the art’.
I went one day a week for over 3 months. The medical care and attention is
second to none and I enjoyed learning different ‘crafts’ and mixing with other
patients. We had a lot of fun and there was even a glass of wine at lunchtime
if you wanted it.
I did the ‘TREK’ with my Daughter-in-law Julie and neighbour Sharon Dawber,
both of whom helped to push me round. We have raised over £500. I know
that the money is much needed, and will be well used. The atmosphere on the
night was electric and we’re already planning for next year.”
Julie added, “It was my first time as a STAR TREKKER, but we’re already
looking forward to next year and planning to assemble a whole team.” Why
don’t you?
In 2012, Star Trekkers
will be on Saturday 9th
June. Why not recruit
friends and family for
an exciting, enjoyable
night under the stars of
Wigan?
£3,000 raised on a fun-filled afternoon, thanks to
the support of Three Sisters Racing Circuit and
the 16 teams who enjoyed a great day out.
A record number of over 350
riders saddled-up for the 2011
Manchester to Blackpool Bike
Ride in aid of Wigan & Leigh
Hospice on 10th July 2011. A
fantastc fun day culminating on
Blackpool Prom!
Why not get together with
friends for a great day out and
a bit of healthy excercise?
JOIN US ON SUNDAY 8th JULY 2012
THANK YOU LADIES
In this edition of ‘In
Touch’ we would like to
say thank you to three
young people - all named
Bethany - and to all
young people who show
their care and support for
Hospice patients...
“2nd Tyldesley Brownies did a ‘No sleep,
sleepover and raised an incredible £1204.00!
When 10 year old Bethany Jones from Lowton decided to do a 10 mile sponsored bike
ride around Pennington Flash and along the Leeds Liverpool canal in aid of Wigan & Leigh
Hospice, she was hoping for fine weather. But little did she know she would need lightening
reactions to prevent falling in; negotiating
around loose stones on the canal
path and waving to people on passing
barges!
However, accompanied by Mum
Mandy, Dad Chris and big brother
Adam (17), they set off from Lowton,
along the canal path to Dover Lock
and back, successfully negotiating
the hazards. A circuit of ‘The Flash’
completed the ride and afterwards
Bethany managed to raise a brilliant
£240 for the Hospice.
Bethany said, “I know that I am very
lucky and that some people are not as
lucky as me. I want to help them.”
The Hospice receives every year, lots of support from schools, youth clubs, brownies, guides, scouts and all
types of children’s groups and individuals, for which we are very grateful.
When 9 year old Bethany
Davies used to visit her
Mum, Louise (37), in the
Hospice in June, she was
fascinated by the fish tank
in the visitors’ lounge.
Bethany said, “I used to
count the fish every day
and loved watching them
swimming around the
tank. It made me feel so
peaceful. I wanted to buy
one for the Hospice in
memory of my Mum. I’ve
called him ‘Finley’.”
Dad, Mark adds, “The
personal care we all
received at the Hospice
was exceptional. We were
welcomed like friends.
The nursing staff even let
Bethany help with their
duties.
They kept her involved
and occupied. She loved
it. The building itself is
so welcoming, peaceful,
relaxing and friendly. Our
circumstances were tragic,
but the people at the
Hospice were brilliant.”
Beth Herbert from Lowton did two weeks
work experience at the Hospice. She tells us
how it all came about…
“My Nana, Sheila Stout, became very ill last year
and started going to the Hospice one day a week.
I had no idea what a Hospice was, or what it was
like until she started to tell me about the Day
Hospice she was attending every Monday. She
couldn’t stop praising it and the people there.
As well as first class medical care, she learned
new craft skills, met some lovely staff, volunteers
and other patients. She always commented on
how caring and supportive it was. It was the
highlight of her week and she was upset if other
appointments got in the way.
Before going to the Hospice, she was very angry
and frustrated at life and the illness she had.
The Hospice changed her completely and she
became much more peaceful and happy. It had
an incredible impact on her.
I remember my first visit to see her as an inpatient
with my Mum and sister. I expected it to
be like another hospital with wards of beds, but it
was completely different.
I will never forget the lovely private room she was
in, overlooking the beautiful gardens. Nana was
very happy. The staff were wonderful and so
genuinely caring. I soon realised why she felt as
she did about the Hospice.
I will never forget the nurse who held my hand
when I started crying. Her compassion, love and
hugs flowed all over me like a warm blanket. I
told her things I didn’t want to talk about with
my mum and sister. It was so re-assuring and
comforting to be able to speak to someone who
genuinely cared and understood our situation.
Unfortunately Nana died, but we know she
couldn’t have been better cared for. It was a
difficult time, but the Hospice support didn’t finish
there. I was offered counselling which made a
massive difference to me.
When I was planning some work experience,
there was only ever going to be one choice and
I asked Julia, my Hospice Counsellor, about
the possibility. I was nervous about it, but there
was no need. Everyone is lovely. I have done
2 weeks work experience and have learned
even more about the workings of the Hospice. It
was better than I expected. The memories and
experiences will stay with me forever. I know I’ve
done the right thing coming back.
I miss my Nana, but she will be proud of me.
She would have wanted me to do it. I only hope,
in some small way, I can help those who did so
much for her. I hope to come back as a volunteer
as soon as I can.”
Hospice Chief Executive
Stuart Liptrot retires
in February 2012, but
relinquished his position
at the beginning of
October 2011 to assume
a part-time supportive
role until retirement.
PICTURED
Stuart and his
secretary for 22 years,
Janet Anderton
Here, Stuart reflects on his time at the Hospice,
the changes and developments; and his plans
for the future…
“My working life began at Williams Deacons
Bank at the age of seventeen, where I worked
for 14 years until joining the family farming and
mushroom growing business.
In 1989, the farming industry was going
through difficult times and I was looking for a
career change and a return to the ‘employed
ranks’. I saw an advertisement for the role of
Administrator at Wigan Hospice (as it was then
called).
I knew nothing about Hospices, nor even that
there was one locally! I applied; and was
fortunate to be offered the job. It changed my
life.
I had everything to learn, especially as the
Hospice itself was in its infancy. It was a totally
different experience for me.
It quickly became clear that the premises
at Poolstock would not be able to cope with
this developing organisation. This called for
some big decisions and raised even bigger
challenges.
The decision was taken to plan and build a
new Hospice for Wigan. With the help of the
New Start Committee and the support of the
local community we set out to raise the £2.5m
required. It quickly became obvious that to
raise this large amount whilst continuing to fund
our existing services would not be possible.
The Trustees took the brave decision to borrow
£1.5m by way of a mortgage. Added to the
£1m raised it meant that it was all systems
go.
With the funding in place, things began to
move quickly and in 1996 we had the pleasure
of seeing the first foundations laid for our
new Hospice in Hindley, with the new facility
opening fully on the 15th December 1997.
We deliberately chose the location for the
Hospice which is central to the whole borough.
It was around this time that the name was
changed to Wigan and Leigh Hospice to
encompass the two main conurbations.
I admit to having tears in my eyes when we
closed the doors at Poolstock; but it was great
to see all the hard work of so many people
come to fruition in the modern building we
have today in Kildare Street.
In the ensuing years, and with the support of
local people and our colleagues at the Primary
Care Trust, we have continued to grow and
develop our services. Our aim has always
been to ensure that our patients and their
families are at the centre of everything that we
do.
My time at the Hospice has given me some
wonderful memories, true friends and the
chance to work with some dedicated people.
When I joined the organisation, there were 40
staff and around 100 volunteers – now there
are almost 100 staff and 750 volunteers! In all
my time at the Hospice volunteers have played,
and will continue to play, an essential role in
every aspect of our work. From the ‘Friends of
the Hospice’ to the hundreds of volunteers in
our 12 shops; and throughout the organisation
they all continue to play a vital role in making
the Hospice what it is today. I hope to join the
volunteer ranks myself in due course, that is if
they will have me!
Finally, I want to wish everyone at the Hospice
and in our Community, all the best for the future
and to thank you all for your help and support
to me personally over the years.
EVERYONE AT THE
HOSPICE WISHES STUART
SINCERE BEST WISHES
FOR HIS RETIREMENT
IN TOUCH
Issue No 9
Kildare Street
Hindley, Wigan
WN2 3HZ
01942 525566
enquiries@wlh.org.uk
fundraising@wlh.org.uk
lottery@wlh.org.uk
www.wlh.org.uk

HOSPICE GOLD
YOU CAN HELP
WHAT IS HOSPICECARE?
A NURSE EYE VIEW
HOSPICE DOCTORS
On August 16, 1896, George Carmack dreamt
about gold. He dreamt of nugget eyes that
gleamed from salmon in the Klondike River
20 steps from his feet. The next morning the
old prospector pulled the first gold nuggets
out of Rabbit Creek, in the Klondike Valley
of the Yukon Territories. The Klondike Gold
Rush drew 100,000 pilgrims to the gold fields
of Canada. Their finds helped them through
very difficult times and improved their lives.
Each speck of gold on it’s own was worth
very little, but lots of them together made
thousands of people rich.
Wigan & Leigh Hospice has its own goldmine -
the kind and generous people of our Borough.
One way this is exemplified, is below:-
In 2011 a penny does not go very far, but
a millionaire’s wealth is made up of lots of
pennies. Simply put a little of your loose
change into a Hospice ‘Loose Change Box’ on
your fireplace, coffee table, kitchen worktop
or office desk; your little bit of gold dust will
help to ensure that Hospice patients can be
supported through their difficult times.
You may be surprised to learn that the
Hospice loose change boxes and collecting
tins last year raised a terrific £24,000, from
little pieces of gold dust.
A lot of that success is due to the untiring
work of a small band of volunteers who
come to the Hospice every week to deal with
the donations received. They also ensure
replacement boxes and tins are supplied.
Sylvia Wilkinson, Sandra Brogan, Eric Howe
and Alf Short have been stalwart volunteers
for a number of years. New ‘boy’ David Page
has recently joined ‘the team’.
They each have their own reasons for
supporting the Hospice and like the Gold
Miners of old, appreciate that every penny
counts.
Every home, shop or workplace has bits of
loose change around, so why not save it for
the benefit of local Hospice patients? When
you have a spare coin, simply drop it into your
Hospice box, knowing how that simple act will
multiply into big things.
Why not have a Hospice collecting tin
on display in your place of business or
Community Centre etc. They are the ideal
way to collect loose change and donations
from customers, visitors, staff or members.
If you would like t o
enrich the lives of Hospice patients by
giving a little bit of gold dust, simply
ring the Hospice on 01942 525566, email
fundraising@wlh.org.uk or obtain your
collecting box from any of the 12 Hospice
shops around the Borough.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT WAYS YOU CAN
SUPPORT THE HOSPICE IN
HELPING TO RAISE OVER
£1.5 MILLION THIS YEAR...
www.wlh.org.uk/fundraising
Readers of the last edition of ‘In Touch’ may
recollect the article on the RAF Flight Operations
Assistant Natasha Brikett who was volunteering
at the Hospice, prior to an overseas posting.
She was featured in the ‘Royal Airforce News’
and acclaimed a “runway success” after
scooping a top military award for co-ordinating
all aircraft and vehicle movements. She was
presented her award by the Wing commander
who said ”The fact that this Unit is so tight knit
is partly down to Senior Arcraftswoman Birkett.
Tash’s cheerful and smiling disposition will be
sorely missed. by all of us here”.
make sure your local
hospice care is not
a lottery
weekly
first prize
£1000
Lottery
total weekly
prize fund
£1800
www.wlh.org.uk/lottery
01942 515566
HOSPICE SHOPS
Hospice shops co-ordinator Janet
Fletcher says “We have over 400
volunteers who give their time to work
in our twelve shops to raise over halfa-million
pounds profit every year!
This is a brilliant achievement and we want
to thank them from the bottom of our heart.
It is also thanks to the increasing number
of customers who are discovering the
incredible quality and value of our stock.
However without your ongoing donations of
good quality items, we would have nothing
to sell. So please continue supporting us
with your donations and why not pop-in
to your local Hospice shop – you will be
surprised.
If you want to become a
volunteer simply contact us
on 01942 525566.
www.wlh.org.uk/shops
What is it really like inside
the Hospice?
Patient’s live in the
Hospice don’t they?
Are there long wards of
beds?
DID YOU KNOW ?
The majority of Hospice
patients, never come
to the Hospice, but are
cared for at home.
To discover if the common
perceptions are correct: we
asked In-patient Unit Manager
Clare Waller, Sister Yvonne
Tague and Senior Staff Nurse
Kay Smallman what it is really
like inside a Hospice for those
attending the In-Patient Unit...
Clare Waller
Clare begins by telling us –
“A patient is first referred to the Hospice
by their GP, Consultant or Community or
Hospital professional.
The first surprise for many people is the
realisation that the majority of patients
NEVER come to the Hospice! They
are cared for by the ‘Hospice Team’ at
home and are usually visited in the first
instance by a Hospice Palliative Care
Nurse Specialist, who can arrange and
co-ordinate a host of services as and
when needed.
Every patient is an individual, with their
own changing needs. Everything we do,
whether at home, or here at the Hospice,
revolves around this.”
Is it a drab, miserable,
frightening place?
be suprised...
These are important
questions that often
concern people when they,
or their loved ones, are
referred to the Hospice.
Some people even refuse
to come to the Hospice
because of their fears!
For patients who
are admitted as inpatients,
common
misconceptions can
create unwarranted fears
and concerns.
Patient David Brown talking with Yvonne
Yvonne adds -
“Of those who come as an in-patient,
many come for symptom control.
This may involve a few days stay to
balance their medication, before
going back home. Every patient has
a personal care plan which reflects
this. Ongoing assessments enable
us to make sure that the correct
treatment, medication and care is
provided.
When a patient first arrives, they
are met at Reception by a nurse,
who shows them to their modern,
light and airy room. We start by
listening to concerns, fears and
expectations, after which they are
seen by a Hospice Doctor. If and
when family arrive, we inform them of
the services we can provide. These
include psychological support for
family members also.”
Patients and loved ones are concerned
because of the pre-conceptions they
have about Hospices and the ‘inpatient’
unit.
On arrival, they are usually surprised
to find a bright, airy and modern
environment. Looking out of their
patio doors onto the extensive
Hospice gardens, a pleasure in itself.
We ask people how they like to be
addressed and the majority prefer
first names.
Senior Staff Nurse Kay Smallman
has been working at the Hospice
for 16 years, originally when it was
located in Poolstock.
Kay says: “It is hard to describe
what it’s like working at the Hospice,
except that it is the most rewarding
job I have ever had. It is a privilege
to be able to form a bond with our
patients and their families, and to try
and help them at a difficult time in
their lives.
When patients come to stay with us, we
do our best to make them feel at ease.
A tray of tea and biscuits is often the
first thing on the agenda, to help them
to settle.
Many patients are frightened about
coming to the Hospice for the first
time and are surprised that there is
sometimes humour between patients
and staff; which is a great way to put
people at ease. Everyone is treated as
an individual.
I have lost count of the times I have seen
a change in the faces and demeanour of
patients and their loved ones in the first
few minutes, when they realise what a
modern, caring organisation this is and
how we genuinely have their interests at
heart.
It’s a privilege and very humbling that
people let us into their lives when they
are at their most vulnerable.
After sixteen years, I still love working
here and little things mean so much.”
part of the
Hospice
Reception area
Here at the Hospice,
the doctors work closely
alongside other members
of staff to provide the
highest quality of patient
care. The clinical
team includes doctors,
nurses, physiotherapists,
o c c u p a t i o n a l
therapists, counsellors,
complementary therapists,
social workers, speech
and language therapists
and dieticians. Jointly, we
are known as ‘The Multi-
Disciplinary Team’ and the
care we provide is known
as ‘Specialist Palliative
Care’.
Doctor Joanne says,
“The team approach is important, as
it enables us to apply our knowledge,
experience and skills in meeting the
varying needs of patients and their
families. There are several grades of
doctor working at the Hospice including
Consultants, a Senior Hospice Physician,
Hospice Physicians, and sometimes a
Registrar and GP trainee.
In addition to the 12 bedded In-patient
unit, Day Hospice and the consultantlead
Out-patient Clinic; we also work
closely with the Palliative Care Nurse
Specialists. These nurses provide care
and support for patients at home and in
the community.
Dr Jen adds
“A further aspect of a Hospice doctor’s
role is providing specialist palliative care
advice to health care professionals in the
community and hospitals.”
A rota system ensures that whilst a
number of doctors are available in
the Hospice during the week, there is
always one doctor on-call in the evening,
overnight and at weekends to address
any urgent issues that may arise during
this time.”
Dr Joanne
Bullen
Dr Cathy Higgins
Dr Jen
Waddell
Dr Cathy explains what happens when a patient
first arrives at the In-patient Unit of the Hospice...
“On arrival and after an initial greeting by one of the
nurses; a doctor, often with a nurse, will undertake
an assessment of the patient’s symptoms, finding
out about any issues they may be experiencing.
This allows a plan of care to be developed, tailored
to their personal needs.
We are very conscious of the concerns of families
and loved ones and are happy to discuss and
support their needs where possible.
The medical team then work closely with all the
other health care professionals to maintain an
ongoing review of a patient’s needs; making
adjustments to their medications and providing
symptom management as required.
As doctors working in Wigan and Leigh Hospice we
are privileged to work as part of a supportive team,
caring for patients and their families during what is
often a difficult and challenging time for them.”