Outpatients facility reopens

Services will be increased at hospice

St Andrew’s Hospice has welcomed back patients to its relaunched outpatient services facility.

The department’s usual home was used as a base for construction contractors during the £9 million renovation of the Henderson Street hospice, completed earlier this year – meaning that limited outpatient services were delivered from the education unit during the work.

Now the service has been relaunched in its usual home with a renewed list of available services, developed “to reflect the needs of the community” following a review of feedback from patients, carers and healthcare professionals.

Its wellbeing programme includes an outpatient clinic for physiotherapy, occupational therapy and complementary therapy, fatigue management classes and a strength and balance class.

Outpatient and community team manager Donna Bruce added: “We’ll also be introducing music therapy and a carers’ group over the next few months.”

Hospice deputy chief executive Joy Farquharson said: “We’ve used the time that the refurbishment was taking place to review and redesign our services to ensure that we meet the requirements of the community, and we’re excited to see this next phase in our plan become a reality.

“All of our services are available to anyone living with a life-limiting condition; patients or carers interested in accessing our services should speak to their GP, district or Macmillan nurse, or contact our outpatient team on 01236 766951.”

Key service First patient Frank Fennessey with outpatient and community team manager Donna Bruce

Good to talk Outpatient Leeanne Cooper with complementary therapy co-ordinator June Mathison