We’re celebrating Hospice Care Week
This week, our staff are sharing their stories as we celebrate Hospice Care Week.
The awareness week, which is led by our umbrella organisation Hospice UK, celebrates all that hospices do in their communities, and here at Trinity, our amazing staff have been reflecting on the challenges of the previous year and beyond and celebrating all that has been achieved.
Kate Carter is an Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist who works in our hospital team, working at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
She says working at the height of the pandemic was tough, but what got her and her colleagues through was being able to provide special moments for patients, and allowing them to spend precious time with loved ones.
“Working in the hospital, we saw a lot of patients who were suddenly on their own, with their support mechanisms greatly reduced,” she said.
“Everyone needs people around them, and it was hard to see people trying to cope without that. But we were using video calling to help patients speak to their loved ones. Giving them that chance to see them – to say goodbye; that meant everything.
“At the same time, as hard as it was for us as nurses to be working in those environments, and seeing all the things we did, we were all there for each other. We couldn’t hug each other, as we normally would, but we all knew we were doing it together.”
Kate says there are a lot of things to look forward to as things become more ‘normal’.
“Our fundraising events have returned, and it has been so good to see so many people running and walking to help raise vital funds so that we can provide the care we do to so many, and I’ve seen first-hand the impact of that incredible support.
“To anyone who has taken part in one of our events, who has donated or bought something at one of our charity shops or even sent in treats for us. Knowing you are here supporting us is what gets us through.”
We’re using this week to celebrate the incredible efforts of all staff and volunteers who are vital to providing our outstanding Trinity care.
Our amazing staff across all departments at the hospice really have gone above and beyond so that we can continue to offer the very best specialist care to everyone who needs it across the Fylde coast.
We know our care teams have made some difficult decisions over the last 18 months to keep their loved ones safe while they continue to care, and our incredible bereavement counsellors have been working tirelessly to support the increasing numbers of people who have needed them throughout the pandemic. This week is about celebrating all of our teams who have each worked tirelessly so that everyone who has and continues to need us gets the exceptional care that Trinity has to offer.
In a year like no other, our staff have shown huge levels of strength, resilience and flexibility, and we’re proud of how they have supported our work, our health and social care partner organisations and each other throughout a very difficult and challenging time.
