Wexford Hospice is an invaluable service
PERHAPS it’s indicative of the high regard in which it’s held that fundraisers for Wexford Hospice Homecare are very well supported.
The reality is that it’s one of the most vital community support organisations to the people of the county and the service it provides to Wexford is immeasurable.
The County Wexford Hospice Homecare service was established in 1991 by a voluntary committee with the specific aim of providing Specialist Palliative Care Service to patients in their homes or other places of care in the community.
Commenting on behalf of the County Wexford Hospice Homecare Committee and outlining the principal aims of the organisation to this newspaper, Gary Morris, Chairperson of Wexford Hospice Homecare, said: ‘The aim of the service is to enhance the quality of life for patients, and to support and assist their families, carers and other health professionals throughout County Wexford.’
The service is provided by Clinical Nurse Specialists under the clinical guidance of a consultant physician in palliative care.
The HSE supports the service with an annual subvention, however, that meets less than 50 per cent of the annual running costs.
That means that the service is largely funded by the generosity of people and organisations in county Wexford through voluntary donations.
Significantly, 100 per cent of the voluntary funds raised go directly to maintain the service.
Explaining what hospice/palliative care means, Mr Morris said: ‘Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life threatening illness.’
In 2012, the HSE outlined that such assistance is provided through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems [such as] physical, psychological and spiritual.
‘The majority of carers deliver palliative care to their loved ones on a daily basis,’ said Mr Morris.
Palliative care is the care of the ‘whole’ person - not just focussed on an illness but on quality of life, relief of symptoms, and providing comfort and support.
‘This care is delivered in homes, nursing Homes, community hospitals and residential care units throughout the county by families, GPs, Public Health and General Nurses and care assistants to many patients with life limiting illnesses,’ said Mr Morris.
‘However in some instances a patient may develop symptoms that are complex and increasingly difficult to control and more specialist advice is needed,’ he added.
‘It is at this stage that referral is considered by their GP or their Hospital Consultant to the Community Specialist Palliative Care Team (Wexford Hospice Homecare Team).’
The core activity of this team is the provision of Specialist Palliative Care assessment and advice.
It’s a service that involves the support of individuals with a life limiting illness that have more complex and demanding care needs.
Mr Morris highlighted that referral to the service can sometimes be a source of anxiety for the patient or their family, however, he emphasised that with good control of symptoms, education on medications, advice and support, individuals often find that their quality of life improves and they can concentrate on getting on with life.
‘Referrals are received from the patients GP or hospital consultant, following which a clinical nurse specialist will visit the patient in their home or place of care and introduce the service,’ said Ms Flood.
An assessment will be carried out and a plan of care will be decided on with the patient, their GP and Public Health Nurse.
Follow up visits are carried out as needed, and agreed with the patient and their family, and contact details are given for the service.
‘Assessment is ongoing and each person’s needs are different, however if symptoms settle and they are no longer in need of specialist palliative care, the patient may be discharged from the service,’ said Mr Morris.
‘Should anything change they can be referred back to the service by their GP,’ he added.
If a patient approaches end-of-life the specialist nurse involvement in their care increases.
This can include provision of specialist symptom control and support, working closely with the patients’ family, their GP, the Public Health nursing team, and the Irish Cancer Society night nursing service.
The clinical nurse specialists’ role is varied, involving assessment, education, advocacy for the patient and their family, communication and bereavement follow-up.
‘Not everyone with an advanced progressive illness will require Specialist Palliative Care,’ said Mr Morris.
‘Some people may benefit from [such] care temporarily, while others may require ongoing support,’ he added.
‘Everybody’s needs are different.’
In 2018, there were 316 referrals to the Community Specialist Palliative Care team and 3,464 visits were carried out to patients in their homes or other place of care, such as nursing homes, psychiatric units, district and community hospitals.
During the visits the team assessed and advised on symptoms in addition to providing support to patients and their families.
‘The Team works closely with the GP and Public Health Nursing Service to enable families and carers to provide the best care possible in their home,’ said Mr Morris.
At present the service is provided by seven Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) in Palliative Care, and an occupational therapist with secretarial support 21 hours per week.
The team is coordinated by a Clinical Nurse Manager and is clinically led by a Palliative Care Consultant based in University Hospital Waterford.
‘County Wexford Hospice Homecare is delighted to be partnered with Hope and Dream again this year,’ said MR Morris.
He went on to comment that for Wexford Hospice Homecare Committee: ‘The funds raised will allow us to continue to provide the care and support that is so important to our patients and their families.’