Connections Spring 2026 - Flipbook - Page 5
We cared for nearly as many patients on our
IPU as we did in the previous year, but it was
tough for staff, patients and families, with
limited visiting. Our team made daily phone
calls to worried families with news about
their loved ones, and we organised video
calls between patients and their families.
Infection control was increased and remains
stringent.
Our Care at Home team saw an increase
of nearly 10% of people choosing to die
at home instead of in hospital or at the
Hospice. Although home visits were difficult
due to Covid restrictions, it was important
to maintain face-to-face contact, as many
patients felt isolated and anxious. We rapidly
adapted working practices, maintaining
very high standards of infection control, and
communicating sensitively despite wearing
facemasks and visors. We increased support
for patients in their final days, and added
a Registered Nurse and Health Care
Assistant (HCA) to our planned overnight
care service, when families can feel
most alone. This meant that we were able
to provide 315 night visits in 2020/21, an
increase of more than 200% from 2019/20.
We increased non face-to-face contact,
such as phone and video calls, and will
continue to provide this remote contact
alongside home visits, as it enables us to
support many more patients and families.
Whilst Day Hospice remained closed,
telephone support and virtual groups kept
patients connected to staff and each other.
We piloted online therapy groups, such as
Relaxation, which will continue alongside
the face-to-face groups which are now
resuming.
Our Bereavement service evolved, with
a post-bereavement welfare call, remote
support groups, services of remembrance and
increased online resources - one bereaved
relative commented: “I would like to say
how useful the page on your website about
bereavement is. All the things I feel and
have felt are there and it is so good to
know that these feelings are ‘normal’.”
We also provided clinical bereavement
support sessions to 11 local care homes,
helping staff there to cope with the challenges
of caring during the pandemic.
5
