Rennie Grove Hospice Care launches spring appeal to help prevent hospital admissions

Rennie Grove’s hospice at home nurses have been able to keep visiting patients in their own homes throughout the pandemic.

This month the charity launches its spring appeal, focusing on funding vital specialist care for an increasing number of patients with life-limiting illness and helping to keep more families safe and together at home.

Margaret Ottaway, a clinical nurse specialist at Rennie Grove, said: “For families facing life-limiting illness, the pandemic has been a source of extra worry and uncertainty, especially because a stay in hospital means no visiting, which nobody wants when time is already short.

"So we know that families have been depending on us more than ever to keep their loved ones safe, at home and out of hospital.”

Rennie Grove’s hospice at home nurses support the whole family to understand each stage of a patient’s illness and use their experience in end-of-life care to avoid medical emergencies wherever possible.

Margaret added: "By arranging for ‘just in case’ medication to be kept securely in a patient’s home, they can visit at any time of the day or night should a patient’s condition deteriorate suddenly, to administer medication and help get symptoms under control straight away.

"It’s that fast response that can prevent hospital admissions – alongside the peace of mind that comes from knowing the specialist nurses are just a phone call away."

In the appeal, a former patient’s wife, Diane, shares her story about how the nurses’ visits and support meant her husband, Francis, was able to spend his final days at home, with his family.

She said: “Having Francis at home with us made such a difference, especially towards the end.

"Emily could just pop in for a snuggle with her dad, or to have a chat with him when he felt able to talk. And if it hadn’t been for the nurses, Edwin wouldn’t have got back home in time. Francis’ deterioration was so sudden – so rapid – that I wasn’t ready. I just kept thinking ‘it’s too close – too soon.’ But the nurses told me, with their trademark compassion and clarity, ‘you need to bring him home now – the end of the week will be too late.’

"Edwin missed the chance to say goodbye to his granddad. I’m so grateful he had the chance to say goodbye to his dad.”

The spring appeal will raise vital funds to ensure that more local families have the same chance to stay at home, safe and together, when every moment matters.