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MISSION STATEMENT
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Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice offers specialist palliative care in a
compassionate and friendly environment. As an independent charitable
trust and a centre of excellence, we aim to provide equitable supportive
care to those with life-limiting illness and to their families and
friends. |
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Phyllis Tuckwell was a
local mother of three who was diagnosed with cancer in 1949. This picture
shows her with one of her grandsons. Since the Hospice named in her honour was opened in 1979, more than 6000 local people facing a terminal
illness have been cared for at the Hospice and in their homes.
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Phyllis Tuckwell 1911-1970 |
Caring for patients with
complex needs
- Motor neurone disease (MND)
Motor neurone disease (MND)
is a progressive degenerative disease affecting the motor neurons in the
brain and spinal column. Characteristically, a patient with MND loses the
function of his limbs, and then muscles in the trunk and neck begin to
waste.
Speech and swallowing often
become increasingly difficult. About 80% of people with MND will have their
speech affected. What begins with first signs like stumbling, a weakened
grip, cramps or a hoarse voice can progress to a state of total dependence
in activities of daily living and a loss of functional speech.
There are three
different forms of
MND,
the most common of which is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which
usually begins in people over 55.
Males are more
affected than females, and the average length of time from diagnosis to
death is three to four years.
(Excerpt from
“Too ill to talk? User Involvement in Palliative Care” Small N. & Rhodes P.
pub. Routledge,
London,
2000)
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National prevalence of
MND |
7
per 100,000 |
Number of cases of MND seen by
an average GP
in their working life |
1-2 |
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Current number of MND patients
supported by the Hospice |
20 |
“Retaining a
sense of control is extremely important to patients with MND, since many
will have lost the ability to control their environment through speech or
movement. The environmental control device being installed in the Hospice
will make a big difference to the lives of patients at all stages of MND.”
(a Hospice nurse)
A wide
range of specialist services available to our patients:
Medical Care by
Palliative Care Doctors
• Complex
symptom control
• Education for staff, students, colleagues
• Pain control and management
Specialist Nursing
Care
• Senior level
nurses with specialist palliative care training and qualifications
• High staff / patient ratio
• Holistic care of the patient, family and carers
Community: Clinical
Nurse Specialist Team
• Senior level
nurses with specialist palliative care training and qualifications
• Support and advice for patients and carers in their home
• Liaison with a range of healthcare providers
• Education for District Nurses and other community teams
Occupational Therapy
• Enabling
patients to learn to manage at home
• Securing equipment and aids
• Modern devices to support electronic voice and control for patients with
MND and brain cancers
• Rehabilitation
Physiotherapy
• Assessment
• Advice
• Rehabilitation
• Exercises
• Acupuncture
Complementary
Therapies
• Reflexology
• Indian head massage
• Aromatherapy
• Shiatsu
• Healing
• Education sessions and workshops for staff and volunteers
Patient Welfare
Services
• Advice and
assistance on Welfare benefit entitlement
• Support for patients and families in making claims
• Referrals for legal advice
• Disabled parking permits
Counselling and
Social Work Team
• Counselling
patients and relatives
• Carers support group
• Thanksgiving services
• Bereavement groups
• Training for volunteer staff
• Assisting patients returning home with appropriate care packages
Spiritual Care
• Spiritual
support for patients and carers of all faiths
• Integral part of holistic approach to care
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