• Link to Facebook
  • Link to X
  • Link to LinkedIn
  • Link to Instagram
  • Link to Mail
  • Link to Youtube
  • Our care
      • Our care
      • St Luke’s at home
      • St Luke’s urgent care service
      • St Luke’s at Turnchapel
      • Patient and Family Support Service
      • Therapy
      • Remember with Patches
      • Submit a care review
      • our care
      • patients and carers
  • Get involved
      • Get involved
      • Donate
      • Fundraising and events
      • Volunteering
      • Sponsor a St Luke’s nurse
      • In Memory Giving
      • Lottery
      • Lottery results
      • Summer Raffle
      • Wills and legacies
      • Corporate Fundraising
      • Key Investor
      • Gift aid
      • Compassionate communities
  • Shops
      • Shops
      • ebay shop
      • depop shop
      • Furniture collection service
      • Volunteering
      • Feedback
      • Shops
      • Furniture collection service
  • Education
      • Courses and education
      • University modules
      • Six steps + programme
      • Compassionate communities
      • Compassionate city
      • Projects and partnerships
      • Apprenticeships and placements
      • Feedback
      • Education and courses
      • Plymouth a compassionate city
  • Information hub
      • Information hub
      • Patients and carers
      • Healthcare professionals
      • One Devon EOLC resources
      • End of life care champions
      • Medical students
      • Advance care planning
      • Podcasts
      • Compassionate city
      • Dying matters
      • Hospice UK
      • Patients and carers
      • Healthcare professionals
  • About us
      • About us
      • Job vacancies
      • Our supporter promise
      • Our history
      • Our strategy
      • Governance
      • Trustees and management
      • Impact Report
      • Blog
      • Press and media
      • Information protection
      • FAQs
      • FAQs
      • Job vacancies
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • Feedback
    • Complaints
    • Find us
  • Donate
  • Menu Menu
  • Our care
    • Our care
    • St Luke’s at home
    • St Luke’s urgent care service
    • St Luke’s at Turnchapel
    • Patient and Family Support Service
    • Therapy
    • Remember with Patches
    • Submit a care review
  • Get involved
    • Get involved
    • Donate
    • Fundraising and events
    • Volunteering
    • Sponsor a St Luke’s nurse
    • In Memory Giving
    • Lottery
    • Lottery results
    • Summer Raffle
    • Wills and legacies
    • Corporate fundraising
    • Key Investor
    • Gift Aid
    • Compassionate Communities
  • Shops
    • Shops
    • eBay shop
    • depop shop
    • Furniture collection service
    • Volunteering
    • Feedback
  • Education
    • Education and Courses
    • University modules
    • Six Steps + programme
    • Plymouth a compassionate city
    • Projects and partnerships
    • Apprenticeships and placements
    • Feedback
  • Information hub
    • Information hub
    • Patients and carers
    • Healthcare professionals
    • Podcasts
    • One Devon EOL care resources
    • End of life care champions
    • Medical students
    • Advance care planning
    • Plymouth a compassionate city
    • Dying matters
    • Hospice UK
  • About us
    • About us
    • Job Vacancies
    • Our supporter promise
    • Our strategy
    • Governance
    • Trustees and management
    • Our history
    • Information protection
    • Impact Report
    • FAQs
    • Press and media
    • Blog
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • Feedback
    • Complaints
    • Find us
  • Donate

Tag Archive for: Turnchapel

latest news, News

Hospice care continuing to strengthen hospital response as COVID-19 cases rise

Working across the wards of University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) NHS Trust 365 days a year, there’s a team small in number yet dynamic and consistently compassionate in the face of pressure, who swiftly stepped up to help strengthen the hospital’s emergency response when the pandemic hit hard earlier this year.

Now, with the number of COVID-19 patients on the rise locally as well as nationally, our hospital team is again giving its support to NHS colleagues, fortifying the frontline so that patients who are dying from complications of the virus receive the compassionate end of life care they need. As part of one big team at the hospital, our hospice staff are not only lending their expertise on the COVID red wards though – just as before, they’re pulling out all the stops to continue their usual work as well, ensuring that right across the hospital patients whose time is running short are as comfortable and at ease as possible.

Explaining how St Luke’s stepped up to help the hospital respond in the early months of the pandemic – and how it feels to be back supporting NHS colleagues dealing with the challenge of another influx of COVID-19 patients – St Luke’s nurse Julie Ayers said:

“Ordinarily, our team is involved in looking after up to 40 hospital patients at any one time, ensuring they receive the highest calibre care and giving emotional support to their families, too. While we are a small team, we are also flexible so when the gravity of the COVID-19 situation brought huge extra pressure to bear on the hospital, we were able to adapt quickly as part of its response to dealing with the emergency.

“It was about more than just providing specialist care and advice for patients with complex symptoms caused by the virus. We were also there supporting hospital staff who suddenly needed to have difficult but necessary conversations with patients’ families. This was especially hard for colleagues who’d never done it before, in some cases because they’d only very recently qualified as doctors and nurses. We drew on our experience to build their confidence and help them do this with kindness and sensitivity while not shying away from clarity because it’s so important to be open and honest with families in these situations.

“In addition, when inpatient and outpatient cancer treatment temporarily transferred to nearby Nuffield Hospital, we were there to provide specialist training for staff at the facility, many of whom were completely unused to looking after people with terminal illness because that’s not what their usual work involves. We continued to provide support for them until cancer care returned to UHP NHS Trust in August.”

“When I look back at that time now, which felt so relentless, I also recall how daunting it was, especially in those first few weeks because it was such an unprecedented time and none of us knew what to expect. I felt really anxious at first, especially with so many news reports about healthcare workers dying from COVID-19, but I think those fears are only natural.

“What’s really helped  – and what’s really stood out to me – is the level of support we’ve given each other. It’s been phenomenal, not just in our tightknit St Luke’s team but more widely across the whole hospital. We are really there for each other because we all recognise the importance of what do and at the same time empathise because we’re all juggling our work with the personal challenges everyone is experiencing due to the pandemic.

“We had to adapt the way we worked really quickly because things were changing not just daily but sometimes by the hour. We just got on with it though because that’s what we do. I’ve worked in palliative and end of life care for most of the past 20 years and have been back with the St Luke’s team for the past three – it’s simply where I feel I belong.”

Julie, who is married with two teenage daughters living at home, appreciates the unswerving support her family has given her as she’s continued to deliver vital care for patients week after week.

This time around, she feels she and the team are much better placed to meet the challenges of working on the frontline of hospital care, looking after patients who include those struggling with symptoms of COVID-19.

She said: “I think because of what we’ve already weathered, we know a lot more about what to expect as COVID cases continue to rise, though of course we can never get complacent.

“I still feel some trepidation – my biggest fear would be to have the virus, be symptomless and pass it on to one of my family – but with all the strict infection control measures in place, the hospital does feel a safe place to work.”

“I really want to emphasise the safety aspect because the rising number of deaths in the community points to people with terminal illness putting off hospital treatment because they’re afraid. I want to say to them, please keep your appointments. Or if you’re worried something might be wrong, don’t put off contacting your GP. It’s so important that people don’t delay what could turn out to be life-saving treatment.”

“Despite all the challenges and the emotional toll my work can take, I still love what I do. Although my role can be very sad at times, it is nevertheless really rewarding as I know I make such a difference to people’s lives.”

10th November 2020
https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/HOSPBLOG.png 773 1030 Gabby Nott https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/st-lukes-hospice-plymouth.svg Gabby Nott2020-11-10 11:56:592020-11-10 11:56:59Hospice care continuing to strengthen hospital response as COVID-19 cases rise
latest news, News

BLOG: Keep calm and carry on: how our End of Life Urgent Care Service continues to rise to the challenge during the pandemic

When your vital work caring for terminally ill people already takes its toll on you emotionally, how do you cope when it is made so much more challenging by the pandemic and its impact on not only the families St Luke’s serves, but the welfare of you and your own loved ones, too?

Selina Rogers and Becci Stafford are Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) with our End of Life Urgent Care Service, which runs seven days a week. In partnership with Marie Curie, it provides co-ordinated, bespoke end of life care and support to patients who need this at home during a time of crisis or change in their condition. The team’s remit extends across Plymouth and out as far as Salcombe, Tavistock and the moors, too.

As HCAs, Selina and Becci are central to the high-calibre care the team provides, ensuring our patients are as comfortable as possible – and their loved ones as at ease as possible – in the midst of very challenging circumstances. The ‘storm’ of the pandemic has meant that their sensitivity and compassion have been even more critical than ever, with the past few months seeing them pull out all the stops to remain the reassuring presence families desperately need, all while managing their own anxieties and concerns around COVID-19.

Selina said: “Helping to look after people who are dying is not an easy job, but we do it because we understand what a difference it makes to patients when their dignity is respected and they feel understood. We know how hard it is for their family members, too, who are often shouldering a lot of the caring responsibilities for the person who is terminally ill.

“That’s why we’ve been determined to maintain the outstanding service so many rely on, despite the many challenges of carrying out our work during the pandemic. As with NHS frontline staff, we’ve had to use all the necessary PPE and though we understand how essential it is, it has been very tough knowing patients can’t see our smiles, or feel the warmth of our hugs or the reassurance of our hand on their shoulder.

“It goes against our natures not to be tactile, so we’ve adapted by telling them when we’re smiling, and even saying to them, “It’s right now that I’d have given you a hug”, just to make sure they know how much we care.”

Even more difficult has been the shock of seeing their patients die much more quickly than in pre-pandemic times. Whereas normally patients live for up to around 40 days from the team’s initial visit, giving time for a comforting familiarity to build between them, many have sadly passed away within just one or two days.

Becci said: “It has felt really hard comprehend at times, especially seeing them looking reasonably healthy one day and finding out that sadly, they have died the next.

“We understand the reasons for this – many people have been getting referred to us much later than they normally would because of the difficulties they’ve had accessing their GP during lockdown, or deteriorating more rapidly due to the pandemic delaying their hospital treatment – but understanding it doesn’t take away the shock and sadness we feel.

“As a team we’ve all had to pull together more than ever to help each other through because every one of us has found it very hard-going.”

Of course, as well as their care and concern for their patients and the families around them, our clinical teams have also faced making tough personal sacrifices to reduce their own loved ones’ risk of contracting the virus.

Becci, who has young children, made the heart-wrenching decision to live separately from them for seven weeks, taking them to live with their father to help protect them while she cared for two patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

“I felt huge guilt in choosing to stay apart from my children, and although I knew it was the right thing to do, I struggled. It’s at times like that I appreciate the team around me even more. At various times, we’ve all been close to breaking point due to the fear of the virus, anxiety and fatigue, but we’ve got through by being there for one another, laughing and crying together. As a unit, we’re stronger than ever.”

Selina concurs: “It’s been an emotional rollercoaster, but we have so much empathy for each other and we’re like a family now. We’ve had superb leadership from Sharon Mayer throughout and all our nurses have been amazing, too. It gives you great faith in your team, knowing the resilience that’s been forged through what we’ve all been through.”

Listening to Becci and Selina, it’s clear from the emotion in their voices that they’ve been so tested in recent months yet remain completely dedicated to those in their care.

Becci said: “When a family thanks you for being alongside them from the very first visit to the last, saying how that continuity was made such a big difference to them, it’s incredibly fulfilling. It feels really special.”

5th August 2020
https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/EOLCS-BLOG-2.png 773 1030 Gabby Nott https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/st-lukes-hospice-plymouth.svg Gabby Nott2020-08-05 12:46:492021-08-12 11:24:26BLOG: Keep calm and carry on: how our End of Life Urgent Care Service continues to rise to the challenge during the pandemic

Recent Posts

  • BLOG: Making memories matter: Walking midnight miles for hospice care
  • BLOG: Age is no barrier for Jean and Bernie
  • BLOG: Our Plymstock Bookshop is back bigger, better and bursting with books!
  • BLOG: Walking our Midnight Walk in memory of David
  • BLOG: Pam’s pony visit brings back special memories

Recent Comments

  • Rhianne Walkey on Transformation

Archives

  • July 2025
  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • October 2016
  • August 2016

Categories

  • blog
  • Clinical Newsletter
  • Community
  • Corporate
  • Do it for St Luke's!
  • events
  • Homepage Event Banner
  • latest news
  • News
  • PR
  • St Luke's
  • Uncategorised
  • Upcoming Events
  • z-exclude

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Our Care

  • St Luke’s at home
  • St Luke’s urgent care service
  • St Luke’s at Turnchapel
  • Patient and Family Support Service
  • Therapy
  • Feedback and complaints

Support us

  • Donate
  • Fundraising
  • Volunteering
  • Lottery
  • Corporate fundraising
  • Sponsor a St Luke’s nurse
  • St Luke’s Memory Tree
  • Wills and legacies
  • Key Investor
  • Our shops
  • Tribute funds

Courses

  • University modules
  • Six Steps + programme
  • Projects and partnerships
  • Apprenticeships and placements

Information

  • About us
  • Contact us
  • How we use your personal information (GDPR)
  • Advance care planning
  • Patients and carers
  • Medical students
  • Healthcare professionals
  • End of life care champions
  • Compassionate communities
  • Job Vacancies
  • Our history
  • Our supporter promise
  • Press and media
  • SLH Ventures Gambling Commission Licence
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to X
  • Link to LinkedIn
  • Link to Instagram
  • Link to Mail
  • Link to Youtube
© Copyright 2024 - St Luke's Hospice Plymouth is a registered charity number 280681, VAT registration number 108 2418 38 & a company limited by guarantee, number 1505753. - Web Design by The Ambitions Agency
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to X
  • Link to LinkedIn
  • Link to Instagram
  • Link to Mail
  • Link to Youtube
Scroll to top

We use cookies to give you the best possible online experience. If you continue, we’ll assume you are happy for your web browser to receive all cookies from our website.

View how we use cookiesView how we protect your personal informationAccept cookiesProceed without cookies

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Accept settingsHide notification only