Twist Issue 157 January 2024

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Tw st Hospice’s Virtual Ward earns praise A local man has told how a new service at Ashgate Hospice allowed his wife of 54 years to die at home in peace. Now rugby players have raised money to support the scheme AROLE Lowry was one of the first patients to access Ashgate Hospice’s Virtual Ward which offers safe and convenient palliative care in the home, rather than at a hospital or the C hospice. The former English teacher, from Dronfield, had been diagnosed with cancer during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. Despite Carole’s determination to undergo numerous treatments, the disease spread aggressively to other parts of her body, and she sadly died earlier this year under the care of the hospice’s Virtual Ward team, aged 79. Husband, Peter Lowry, 78, said: “The hospice’s Virtual Ward meant my wife Carole died in the home she loved with her husband by her side.” He praised the “kindness and dedication” of nurses Amanda Hall and Sophie Dudley, who lead the service, as well as other staff who cared for his family during the most difficult time in their lives. Peter, a former deputy headteacher, continued: “Carole had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and it reached the stage where no further treatment was possible. “Without hesitation she came to the decision that at the end of her life she wanted to be at home; I felt relieved knowing that could now be achieved. “I know that when Carole died she was peaceful, pain free and in the place that she wanted to be. “That was because of the hospice’s Virtual Ward and its visionary approach to home-based hospice care. “We felt that the hospice always had time for us. The support, which sometimes was just praise for the way we were handling the difficult situation– whether it was a hug, a phone call or a visit - made all the difference. The couple, who met whilst training to be teachers in Sheffield in the late 1960s, were sports fanatics, especially track and field athletics, and travelled the world to such places as Berlin, Stockholm, Paris, Rome, Moscow, and Doha to watch major events. Peter said Carole was “incredibly brave” and did “everything possible” to overcome the disease. But when her condition deteriorated and she struggled with her symptoms, she went on to receive ward-equivalent care in her own home. Specialist nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and physios all worked together to assess and support her, while consultants were also on hand for advice and support. Carole was one of the first patients to access the Virtual Ward service before she died in March, weeks after the initiative had been launched by the hospice. Peter hopes the service will be available for an increasing number of patients in the future. He added: “I received regular phone calls, visits and Carole's health was discussed in a very comforting but professional and detailed manner. “Nothing was too much trouble even when medication and equipment needed changing. Even prescriptions were ordered without the need for me to contact my GP. “What pleased me tremendously was I felt as though it wasn’t just Carole being supported, but I was being thought of as well – 8 Peter Lowry and his late wife Carole it was 24-hour care for me and Carole. “Even after her death, contact from Ashgate continued and I knew that support was still there for the family “I felt very lucky to have had this fantastic resource at home for us and hope that over time it can be developed further so that many more people can benefit.” Carole and Peter have two sons and three grandchildren. Since its launch, Ashgate Hospice’s Virtual Ward team have worked alongside the Community Nursing Specialists and wider multi-disciplinary team to allow for well over 100 patients to remain at home with complex needs. EANWHILE, a Pink Sock Day at Dronfield Rugby Club M in aid of the Virtual Ward raised more than £1,000. The event was co-ordinated by Peter, who is a former press secretary at the club. His and Carole’s son, Matt, played for the club from the age of eight through to the 1st XV and the couple enjoyed being on the touchline to cheer the teams on. When Peter approached the club’s committee about the fund raising event, it was more than happy to get involved as part of its help in the community philosophy. For their match against Morley, Dronfield’s first team players sported pink socks while Morley players donned pink armbands, and spectators from both sides were also encouraged to wear something pink. Peter added: “Our grandchildren baked and sold pink cookies and Ollie from the club’s Minis section and his mum made pink loom bracelets These were sold in the clubhouse by Ollie and his friends Charlie, Gabe, Allie and Jack, from the junior section of the club.” Peter said it was a “fantastic day” despite wet weather. “The club and everyone there really got behind the event and have been unbelievably generous. If Carole were here, she would have been amazed by the response.” The family have bought a digital scoreboard for the club in Carole’s memory . The game itself proved to be a close affair, 17-10, with Dronfield scoring the winning try towards the end of the match. Peter hopes the club will now organise a fund-raising day each season in the future with a different charity chosen each year. Ashgate Hospice’s second Go Pink for Ashgate this autumn saw dozens of supporters get involved, helping to raise more than £15,000 towards end of life care. To find out more about Ashgate Hospice’s Virtual Ward and how its preventing patients for being admitted to hospital go to ashgatehospice.org.uk/help-and-support/virtual-ward/
Tw st Living Made Easy with Bathroom Adaptations Family-run business established 20 years Walk-in showers Walk-in baths Anti-slip flooring Custom made for people with mobility issues Beautiful bathroom designs Free CAD drawing on request Wall panelling options VAT reliefs for the disabled Workmanship Lifetime Guarantee Concessions for over 60’s, Derbyshire Gold Card members additional discount † Call freephone † 0800 08 555 18 Or book online: BOILER & CENTRAL HEATING PLANS SUPPORT ASHGATE HOSPICE Also get a FREE Initial Service Worth £85 – when you choose a comprehensive cover plan Central Heating, Plumbing Includes Complete Central Heating, Plumbing & Standard (per month**) £40.81 †† (+£60 excess with gas fire) (per month**) £25.95 was £27.95 (Homecare 300) £19.95 £33.00 †† was £21.95 (Homecare 100) £13.95 £20.50 †† was £16.95 (per month**) £22.95 was £24.95 £17.95 was £19.95 £12.95 was £14.95 OUR PROMISE TO YOU Flame Care endeavour to provide first-class customer service, advice, workmanship and value for money to all our past, present and prospective customers. Why Choose FlameCare? Full Parts & Labour Guarantee. Free initial service (Worth £85). No minimum contract. Price guarantee for first 12-months. No excess. Unlimited call-outs. Accidental damage cover. Additional discount for landlords with 2 or more properties. Terms and conditions: † Calls to our 0800 0855 518 number are free from all UK based landlines & mobiles. *Prices may vary depending on the current age and † † Prices correct as of 01-01-21. Third-party prices may vary. SCAN ME Call freephone † 0800 08 555 18 Or book online: 9
Page 1 and 2: w Issue 157 January st 2024 Tel: 01
Page 3 and 4: These days most homeowners suffer f
Page 5 and 6: Tw st The more we know about our ca
Page 7: What a year it has been! New roof a
Page 11 and 12: Tw st show true meaning of communit
Page 13 and 14: County’s gritting plans for local
Page 15 and 16: Tw st Welcome to Winter H ERE at Tw
Page 17 and 18: CUSTOMISE KITCHENS EXPERIENCE QUALI
Page 19 and 20: July Rich’s Mobile Barbering Door
Page 21 and 22: Tw st the move BrightLife against L
Page 24 and 25: Tw st Twist’s Olivia Firth is soo
Page 26 and 27: • contemporary • traditional
Page 28 and 29: Tw st LONDON TOURS OF WINGERWORTH (
Page 30 and 31: Tw st 30 ITH the Christmas and New
Page 32 and 33: Tw st Politically correct in my sli
Page 34 and 35: Dale Montague Electrical LTD DOMEST
Page 36: RESIN BOUND DRIVEWAYS, PATHS & PATI

Twist Issue 157 January 2024

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?