Vital support is still strong for city hospice - The Worcester Observer

Vital support is still strong for city hospice

Worcester Editorial 27th Oct, 2016   0

A CITY HOSPICE has revealed more than 23,000 patients and loved ones have been cared for since it opened its Wildwood Drive base more than a decade ago.

St Richard’s Hospice is marking the tenth anniversary of the opening of their current home which was made possible because of the generous support of the community backing the £5.25m New Hospice Appeal.

The hospice began 32 years ago in Droitwich before moving to a small building in Castle Street, Worcester and then on to the larger Rose Hill House in the city.

Demand for hospice care increased and the new hospice included the first specialist palliative care beds for patients in South Worcestershire.




Mark Jackson, St Richard’s Chief Executive, said: “I joined St Richard’s in February 2006 when we were still based at Rose Hill House, with about 70 staff, ran a mainly weekday service, did not have any beds for patients and the new hospice at Wildwood Drive was a muddy building site.

“The opening of the new hospice brought huge change which has been the catalyst for a period of sustained growth over the last ten years.


“The more palliative care we provided to the people of Worcestershire, the greater the unmet need that surfaced,” he added.

Mr Jackson said many were surprised to hear St Richard’s cares for nearly seven times as many patients and families in the Worcestershire community as it does in its in-patient unit.

“The very nature of hospice care is the holistic approach to patients, carers and families’ needs so that not only the physical health needs are met, but also the social, psychological and spiritual needs both before and after bereavement.

“We are caring for peoples’ lives so that they can make the most of every minute,” he added.

The hard-working chief executive paid tribute to the charity’s supporters and said he believed St Richard’s attracted such support because it has remained true to its origins.

“The last ten years have seen recession, financial crashes and turbulence nationally.

Yet St Richard’s has managed to continue to expand within its financial capabilities,” he said.

“Whether it’s our hugely motivated staff, who now number in excess of 230, our magnificent 1,000 volunteers, or the wider population that give very generously, it is the people of our county that sustain St Richard’s.”

Patient and families frequently express their appreciation for the care of St Richard’s.

Pat Taylor, whose husband Norman was cared for by St Richard’s before he died in April 2015 said, “My dearly beloved husband received the most wonderful care by the entire hospice, doctors, nurses and all staff during his most difficult journey.

“I now work there as a volunteer as I am unable to provide financial assistance but if I worked there for the next 30 years I would still never repay them for what they did,” she added.

Printing

We can provide all of your printing needs at competitive rates.

Advertising

Advertise with the Worcester Observer to reach your audience

Public Notices

View and download all of the public notices in the Worcester Observer.

Online Editions

Catch up on your local news by reading our e-editions on the Worcester Observer.