Hospice @Home first anniversary

East Cheshire Hospice’s successful Hospice @Home initiative acknowledged its first-year anniversary recently, with Hospice staff and carers coming together to mark this impressive milestone.

Local MP, David Rutley, joined the Hospice @Home team in the Hospice’s Chapel, for the anniversary coffee morning. David, who is one of the Hospice’s Vice-Presidents, addressed the attendees and highlighted the remarkable contribution that this inspiring service has had in the local community in the short time since its inception. He was also on hand to cut the angel-shaped cake that was specially-produced for this important occasion.

The Hospice @Home programme sees East Cheshire Hospice provide personalised and flexible end-of-life care for patients in their own homes, with short-term practical and emotional support, and rapid and planned response out-of-hours to enhance quality of life and reduce crises. Services are offered for 7 nights per week, weekends and Bank Holidays, all the year round, and include a night sit service with a Health Care Assistant.

Since it was launched last year, the Hospice @Home programme has raised an incredible £1.7million. To date, thanks to the generosity of donations received and the tireless commitment of the programme’s nursing team, over 340 local residents have been referred to the Hospice @Home team, with over 1,600 home visits made, enabling 226 people to pass away in their preferred place.

The Hospice is currently working towards completing the remaining funding needed to secure the progression of this vital service over the next five years. Any local residents or organisations interested in becoming a donor ‘Angel’ can contact April Green, Key Relationships Manager, by email at agreen@echospice.org.uk.

Speaking after the event, David said, “It was great to join families and staff at East Cheshire Hospice to acknowledge the first anniversary of the Hospice @Home programme. The vital contribution that the Hospice’s team continue to play in providing this much-valued service in and around local communities is inspiring. This work is only possible thanks to grants and donations, and I would encourage organisations and individuals to review how they can support the Hospice @Home programme going forward, so that it can go on providing the compassionate and dedicated care for which it is rightly so well-regarded.”