Patient Comfort Appeal Update

Last year we asked for your support in raising money for our Patient Comfort Appeal. This was to fund 10 urgently needed specialist beds for our Inpatient Unit, to help patients be rested and pain free.

Most people who are cared for in the Inpatient Unit have very little mobility and spend the majority of their time in bed.  Turning to find a comfortable position can be virtually impossible and skin lacerations and breathing issues often become a problem.  Whilst Mandy and the specialist nursing team do everything they can to prevent this, having the right equipment is so important. 

The new and upgraded beds would help the nurses to improve patients’ comfort during their stay.  Improvements in symptom management, pain control, and patient safety would be enhanced, but this comes at a huge cost. 

Altogether, with the support of yourself and the community, we were lucky enough to raise £64,180.00 which funded the whole bed appeal. With the amazing support we received we wanted to share with you the impact the beds are having on the quality care we are providing, to support people with terminal illness by helping them to live as well as possible, for as long as possible.

Overall, since last September the Hospice has seen a dramatic reduction in Hospice Acquire Pressure Damage with an overall reduction of 47%. With category 2 reduction at 50% reduction and Category 3 Hospice Acquired Pressure damage for the year reduced by 80%. There has also been NO category 4 Hospice Acquired pressure damage. 

Pressure damage is damage to the skin and underlying tissue. It is also known as pressure ulcers, pressure sores or bed sores. If pressure damage is untreated it can get worse, and seriously affect a person's health and delay their recovery.

This helps us provide really high quality care for people who need it, whilst making sure people are as comfortable as possible in our care. The support we received through the Patient Comfort Appeal was outstanding and we really could not reach these figures without this. Thank you.