Delivering effective, compassionate care to everyone in need can be quite the challenge. Luckily, Blythe House Hospice and Helen’s Trust have partnered together to provide care for the North Derbyshire community.
The two organisations joined forces in 2020 to deliver a wide variety of care services including round-the-clock home care, physiotherapy and counselling. “Our partnership has greatly improved our capacity in providing care for members of our community,” says Shane O’Reilly, CEO of Blythe House and Helen's Trust in Chapel-en-le-Frith.
“Traditionally, Blythe House provided support for people with life-limiting illnesses in High Peak. Helen’s Trust were supplying hospice services to homes across the Derbyshire Dales and North East Derbyshire area, and together we now can care for many more people.”
Below, Shane explains the importance of home care services and how they can provide improved care for your loved ones.
Q: How can a hospice help patients in need of physical and emotional care?
A: It’s a common myth that hospices only provide end of life and palliative care. Whilst end of life care is a major priority for us, making sure people are supported throughout their journey is vital.
Hospices have so much to offer people living with serious diseases such as cancer, dementia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), neurological conditions and many more. From respite and support groups, teaching techniques to reduce fatigue and breathlessness, as well as 24-hour care, our goal is to make sure people live independent, happy lives for as long as possible.
We are there for the family and carers providing counselling for adults and children. Our carers programme offers practical and emotional advice and support for those who are looking after a loved one.
Q: What are the major challenges facing people who require hospice care?
A: The challenges are extremely varied depending on the area – here in North Derbyshire, one of the most pressing issues is the predominantly rural nature of the county. Travel can be a major obstacle for those in need of care, especially with the current cost-of-living crisis.
Our ambition is to take our services into our community enabling people to access care more locally to them. In order to set up a presence in these smaller towns and villages, we need enough referrals to come through to us. Spreading our reach throughout the area is really important to us, as our services can ensure that people who need regular treatment can receive it within their own community.
Q: Does your Hospice from Home service make it easier for people to receive care?
A: Absolutely, our Hospice at Home service is such an invaluable aspect of our hospice. Receiving care in many different settings, such as a hospital, in a hospice or at home, can be extremely difficult for patients who have a life-limiting illness, and their loved ones, particularly during the later stages of their illness. We are proud to provide care in the comfort of patients’ homes.
Hospice at Home is open to patients across our local community who are in the last 12 months of life, and who wish to be cared for in the comfort of their own homes. Most patients in the last stages of life would prefer to be looked after at home, however only a small proportion of people in Derbyshire actually die in their own home, where they want to be.
There is a worrying gap between the wishes of those with a life-limiting illness and their reality, and Hospice at Home is at the forefront of ensuring people stay in a familiar, comforting environment. As well as 24-hour care, we always have access to urgent response staff in case of an emergency, so there’s no compromise on the quality of care.
Q: How do your volunteers support your services?
A: Volunteers are an utterly essential part of our hospice – from fundraising and running retail shops to supporting our staff with administrative tasks, they are the embodiment of community togetherness.
We have a community volunteer programme where dedicated volunteers support local patients within their own homes. This ranges from completing light tasks for them, offering companionship or helping out with household chores. There are so many areas for people to get involved in depending on their interests and skills, and volunteering bolsters and maintains so many of our essential services.
To find out more about the services provided by Blythe House, or to sign up as a volunteer, visit blythehousehospice.org.uk or call 01298 815 080.
