This is “What it Takes”

Ever wondered what it actually takes to provide Hospice Care?

This week Hospice UK has been sharing key facts from the number of staff required to the amount of money needed, in order to mark Hospice Care Week, which runs until 13^th October.

So we wanted to share with our community what it takes for Rowans, your local Hospice, to provide world class hospice, palliative and end of life care.

The outstanding care Rowans Hospice provides to patients, family members and friends, in our community, from the moment they receive a life limiting diagnosis right through to bereavement is free.  With 85% of the funding needed to run the hospice coming through donations, legacies, shops, lotteries and events, it is thanks to everyone within the community who supports Rowans that families are receiving specialist care and support when they really need it.

“Hospice Care Week is important in helping people to understand what Hospice care is and what it actually means to people. It is also vital we highlight what it takes to provide our care.” – Ruth White, Rowans Hospice CEO.

She continued stating:  “Often people have a misconception that the care we provide is predominantly funded by the NHS, whereas it primarily depends on the generosity of people within our community, through donations of their time or money. Without their contributions, we just would not be here or be able to offer Hospice care for free. That is why Hospice Care Week is important to celebrate the care we provide, which is made possible through your support to help others within your neighbourhood.”

Why Hospice Care Matters

Every year Rowans support and care for over 3,500 patients, carers and family members in our community. They also help other health care professional through delivering 1,550 hours of education each year. But what really highlights why Hospice care matters is listening to people’s experiences of Rowans care.

Supporting Patients to Live

“The love and support I have gained from attending Rowans, means that I am in such a better place than I was when first came through the door. I now know whatever time I have left I want to make sure I Iive it!”

Susan Meager​

Giving People Choice

“I cannot tell you how much it meant to me having Lesley by my side at the time of Andrew’s passing. It gave me great comfort and I was able to say farewell to Andrew without panicking because I had a professional by my side.”

Sandra Turner

Supporting Family and Carers

“Since my mum died, I have had a lot of support from Rowans, having a number of one-to-one sessions with counsellors as I was really struggling at the beginning. I didn’t know about the amount of care and all of the support Rowans gives.”

Shelley Taylor

Providing Education

“Through our work we have been supported by Rowans through their educational courses, so we can help support families to cope with loss.”

Nicky Kinnerhan, Portsmouth School of Nursing 

Delivering Personalised Care

“The smile that lit up my Mum’s face as she lay in her bed in the sunshine is one of the best memories I have of her final weeks at Rowans Hospice. The staff did so much to manage her symptoms but importantly they also treated her as an individual- when they heard she’d like to go outside despite being too ill to get out of bed, they did all they could to make that happen. That personalised care meant so much to her.”

Dr Katie Jerram

Have you got what it takes? Discover the different ways that you can get involved by visiting rowanshospice.co.uk/support-us