Hospices need help now more than ever
HEADLINES of lockdown and restrictions are yet again hitting the Scottish front pages as cases of the Covid-19 begin to rise, with the nation’s population unable to visit each other’s homes and pubs and restaurants in parts of the country forced to close. The Government’s measures aim to slow the virus’s sread, protect lives – and prevent more deaths.
Indeed, today, expert palliative and end of life care is more important than ever. While most of us stay indoors, hospice staff and volunteers have played a vital role on the frontline, going out to care for patients with both Covid-19 and other conditions, including cancer, heart disease and dementia, as well as supporting loved ones throughout and into bereavement. When access to hospital and essential care has been difficult, hospices have rapidly changed their services to provide support, be it physical, emotional, social or spiritual, to people at the end of life in their communities, as well as providing expert clinical advice to colleagues in care homes, hospitals and through community hubs.
It is estimated that three-quarters of the 58,500 people who die in Scotland each year have palliative care needs. Scottish hospices provide care and support to over 22,000 people annually, with over 80% delivered in the community, in homes, through day services or outpatient clinics. During the height of the pandemic, deaths in Scotland increased by a third and there was a rapid shift in where people were dying, and people with existing conditions (not Covid-19) became more likely to die at home or in a care home, rather than in hospital.
Understanding the vital role of end-of-life nurses and carers in Scotland, dutring this Hospice Care Week (October 5-11), we are sharing what it takes for frontline staff to care for people at the end of life.
In Scotland, it takes 2,000 dedicated staff, 61,400 home visits, 254 hospice beds, 8,000 volunteers,
The sector has responded to new challenges and a devastating fall in income with innovation
997,000 volunteering hours – worth £7.8 million -–for hospices to provide palliative and end of life care. Most hospice income comes from charitable donations and fundraising activities, and with Scottish hospice care costing approximately £87 million, our hospices need to raise nearly two-thirds of this – £4.5m a month – themselves.
Dedicated and undeterred, the hospice sector has responded to recent unprecedented challenges and a devastating fall in fundraising income with innovation and collaboration. When restrictions meant hospices could not offer their full range of services, they lost no time in developing digital solutions, offering video consultations, virtual wellbeing sessions and ongoing support over the phone. Indeed, during a weekly support call for shielding patients and carers at St Andrew’s Hospice, Airdrie, a patient revealed she was struggling to prepare and cook meals. The hospice created “Hearty Hospice Meals” to provide freshly-cooked, nutritious two-course meals, three days a week, aimed at patients who are isolated with limited support from family and friends. It was a huge success, with 579 meals delivered in its first 12 weeks, and patients saying how it relieved some of the stresses of lockdown and helped reduce symptoms such as tiredness.
The need for palliative and end of life care is only set to increase in Scotland as the pandemic continues. This Hospice Care Week, join us in celebrating the amazing work of Scottish hospices, as we recognise what it takes for them to continue to provide muchneded palliative and end of life care in our communities. Find out more at www.hospiceuk.org/support-us/ campaigns/hospice-care-week.