<strong>Hospice</strong> News Day centre extended and refurbished The <strong>Hospice</strong> Day Centre was recently refurbished and expanded. Pictured are staff with patients in the day centre, which is now much lighter and brighter. It’s amazing how much extra space and light has been created, giving day patients a greatly improved environment. In feedback, 80% of patients rated the changes as “excellent”. Comments included: Bibi Shah, Sharima Jalloh, Vere Rogers, Liz Piechocki, Christine Boyle, Royston Lavender, Maria Kelly, Edgar Block, Margery Hartley Improved patient communication and safety A new nurse call system has been put into all <strong>hospice</strong> rooms which is a much more modern, electronic system. It enables nurses to see where colleagues are on the ward via a screen in the nurses room and a nurse presence light outside each. Special additions to the system will enable staff to be alerted if frail or confused patients attempt to get out of bed and the system also logs a history of the calls made. These improvements were both made possible by a oneoff Department of Health grant. (left to right): Jack Sanday; May Dilley; Thelma Smith; Sybil Corke; Tina Soysa (volunteer) and Leona Rawson (volunteer). “It’s much brighter and has created a lovely environment” “The centre seems so much more spacious, bright and airy” “It’s a pleasure to attend Daycare each week” “Comfortable and welcoming, and if fully occupied would still feel spacious” “It’s a lovely area to work in - lovely and bright” “Has made Daycare a more usable space” “The increased area makes it safer for patients to move around” For many years, <strong>St</strong> Raphael’s has run a successful Community Palliative Care Team of nurses, who visit patients at home. But each of our highly trained specialist nurses has about 40 patients to visit at any time. They liaise with our <strong>hospice</strong> doctors, hospitals, the patient’s own GP and District Nurses to ensure that each patient receives the services they need. But what they do not have the resources to do is spend time overnight with patients, at the patients home to help support the patient and their relatives. So we now also have a <strong>Hospice</strong> @ Home service at <strong>St</strong> Raphael’s. The service extends <strong>hospice</strong> care into the community to support dying patients in their own homes, if that is their wish. WARD SISTER: Pauline Morris This is our Ward Sister Pauline Morris. She is responsible for the residential in-patient ward of 14 bedrooms. During each year over 350 patients come to the <strong>hospice</strong> as an in-patient. Her role primarily focuses on the day to day running of the Ward, ensuring that patients receive a high standard of nursing care. In conjunction with the <strong>hospice</strong> Practice Development Facilitator, Pauline will continue the ongoing development of contemporary palliative care nursing practice. Pauline is herself a shining example of how the <strong>hospice</strong> helps to develop staff to their full potential. She returned to nursing in November 1999 after having four children. She joined the <strong>hospice</strong> as a The <strong>Hospice</strong>@Home staff employed by <strong>St</strong> Raphael’s are a team of specially trained and motivated healthcare assistants, who will work closely alongside existing community services such as the district nursing teams. The <strong>Hospice</strong>@Home team aims where possible to provide care tailored to meet the needs of individual patients and their families. The team will be able to provide important supportive care at home, as well as helping with practical aspects such as assistance with personal care, making simple meals and beverages, and enabling families and <strong>Hospice</strong> News <strong>St</strong> Raphael’s <strong>Hospice</strong>@Home Service – Bringing Care Home care assistant and worked for a year until she was able to do a ‘return to nursing course`. Following that, Pauline worked as a staff nurse on night duty for five years, following which she worked days, and after several years experience, became team leader, senior nurse and now junior ward sister. carers to have a rest. These improvements have been made possible by extra support from the Sutton and Merton Primary care Trust (PCT). Over the years, there have been many changes in Palliative care but the care and attention given to patients remains the same. Pauline says “I work with some lovely people in a happy, friendly atmosphere and feel privileged to be part of such a great team.” 4 4 <strong>St</strong> Raphael’s <strong>Hospice</strong> welcomes your support. Find out how you can help us, tel: 020 8335 4576 www.straphaels.org.uk Find out how you can help <strong>St</strong> Raphael’s, Raphael’s. ring Ring 020 8335 4576 or visit www.straphaels.org.uk 5 5