Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Extra support for patients and carers
A new service to help terminallyill people get quicker access to the support they need is being launched across east Kent this month.
The Wellbeing and Social Programme has been set up by the Pilgrims Hospice and is free for anyone in the later stages of a life-limiting illness and aims to enhance their wellbeing.
Hospice chief executive Cate Russell said: “Most people know about the care Pilgrims nurses and specialists offer 24/ 7 to patients on our wards. As a team we do all we can to go the extra mile for those who need us.
“While the ward may traditionally be at the heart of the hospice, in truth it is the very tip of the iceberg of the support we offer.
“The Wellbeing Programme is here to support people with a terminal diagnosis earlier in their journey to stay independent, improve symptoms and to support them emotionally.
“Services are also available for carers – be they friends or family – to support them too with selfcare and in their role as a carer. We want to increase the number of people who benefit from these valuable services.”
Senior nurse Annie Hogben, has spent the past year researching and planning the new service in collaboration with healthcare partners across the county.
She and her team have looked
at national best practice and evidence to grow and improve the range of support that is on offer.
She said: “This will be our most diverse and extensive outpatient programme. It means there is now more help available for carer and more therapeutic programmes for patients and new creative programmes, such as music for wellbeing.
“If somebody asks their GP for support, we offer each person the
same range of options, no matter where they live in east Kent.”
All the services are provided by the Pilgrims team from Pilgrims Therapy Centres in Canterbury, Ashford and Thanet.
The first step is for patients to talk to their GP or healthcare professional who can advise whether the programme is right for them. More information is available at www.pilgrimshospices.org/wellbeing