Every day for the last 17 years, I’ve witnessed the level of care given by St Barnabas. I always say we employ compassionate people who happen to have healthcare skills. But it doesn’t matter what job we do at the hospice, patients and their families are the number one priority for every one of us.
We’re always thinking about how we can help make care even better through our role. From me in the finance team making our money and skills go further, to the cleaners going the extra mile to keep everything sterile, to the chief executive talking to the government about funding.
Although my role has changed quite a bit over the years, helping our care team provide even better support has stayed at the heart. Today, my job is about the processes and systems that make us more efficient – tweaking out every last penny to provide a better service, and reallocating funds to where they’re needed to give the very best care.
It’s not how you’d imagine a traditional accountant role, and I think that shows how forward-thinking St Barnabas is. Extending the Hospice at Home service, introducing Admiral nurse support for people with dementia and delivering end-of-life educational services to healthcare professionals outside of the hospice – they all demonstrate our determination to keep improving care.
That’s how I know my gift will be put to the best use for patients and families across our county. I also know that if St Barnabas weren’t around, this kind of support wouldn’t be either.
Being privy to the hospice’s finances, I know how hard funding cuts have hit. A dependable income is more important than ever, and leaving a gift in my Will is my way of giving St Barnabas something to rely on. Also, because I’ve chosen to let the hospice decide how the money is used, I know it’ll be spent on what’s most important for patient care at the time.
It doesn’t matter how much each of us leaves – or if we leave items like jewellery that can be sold in our shops, I know firsthand it’ll all be used to make a big difference, and that’s what matters.
Thank you to Sue, and all our legators. Your legacy will continue through the care you’ll make possible in years to come.
To find out more about leaving A Gift For Generations, please visit: Make a Will with St Barnabas Hospice