Coronavirus update: Bath firms urged to step up and support Dorothy House Hospice appeal

April 3, 2020
By

Bath area hospice Dorothy House is urgently seeking support from city businesses to help it step up its response to the national health emergency triggered by coronavirus pandemic.

It has launched its Stepping Up Support appeal to raise funds for its clinical teams to provide extra care for the community in response to rising demand for patient care. 

The appeal aims to provide funding for palliative and end-of-life patient care over the coming months and invites volunteers to support the work of the hospice.

As more than 70% of the care provided by Dorothy House is usually paid for by fundraising support from the community this appeal will also help replace lost income due to closed charity shops and cancelled fundraising events.

Dorothy House has also developed new ways to provide care for people, including increasing in-patient bed capacity to look after more patients than ever before.

In an unprecedented move the charity has opened a temporary inpatient ward, pictured below, and eight new beds in the existing therapy rooms at its hospice in Winsley, near Bradford on Avon, with the support of the NHS.

This service will care for patients who would otherwise be in hospital and can be discharged to Dorothy House to reduce pressure on hospitals.

During the pandemic, Dorothy House nurses and carers are also increasing their care for people in their own homes, particularly anyone who would be more vulnerable in hospital. 

Patients isolating at home continue to be supported by the hospice’s clinical and family support teams to maintain vital contact, either with home visits, a 24-hour advice line or remotely by phone or video calls. 

The hospice is also developing new tools such as videos of physiotherapy exercises made by the Dorothy House therapies team to help patients stay active at home. A new relaxation CD is being produced for patients to ease anxiety or stress during the lockdown.

As well as seeking funding from the Stepping Up Support appeal, the hospice is also asking for volunteer support during the Covid-19 emergency to allow its doctors and nurses to focus care where most needed. 

Volunteers could be asked to help remotely by keeping in contact with patients either online or by phone or by dropping off supplies or checking on people in person.

Dorothy House Medical Director Dr Emma Frampton said: “We have seen the need created by the pandemic and we’re acting now to extend our services, support the NHS and protect the most vulnerable in our community.

“My nursing team are stepping up to help and we know our amazing local communities will do everything they can to support this urgent appeal.”

Dorothy House CEO Wayne de Leeuw added: “During the Covid-19 outbreak we’ll be caring for more inpatients than ever before at the hospice as well as continuing patient care in the community. 

“We are working closely with the NHS to help care for discharged patients who require further inpatient care. 

“When someone in our community reaches the end of life, we have only one chance to support them with the best care we can provide.

“Palliative care is critical work and becomes even more vital at a time like this. With more patients to look after we must make sure everyone receives compassionate care and support.

“The Covid-19 outbreak is already having a huge impact on our community and our mission is to step up and deliver essential care when it matters most.”

Dorothy House provides compassionate care, supporting people with life-limiting illness to live well and die well.

It serves a community of 550,000 people across a 700 sq mile area that includes Bath and North East Somerset and parts of Wiltshire and Somerset.

To learn more about the Stepping Up Support Appeal visit www.dorothyhouse.org.uk

 

 

Comments are closed.

ADVERTISE HERE

Reach tens of thousands of senior business people across the Bath area for just £75 a month. Email info@bath-business.net for more information.