Category: Hospice News
Lincoln IPU Refurbishment and Re-opening Update
The Director of Patient Care and Ward Manager attended a site visit to the Inpatient Unit on Nettleham Road the week of 22nd August 2022.
Work is moving at pace and proposed completion targets remain very positive. We are approximately two thirds of the way into the project and huge differences and improvements are now very visible.
Feedback received post meeting from the Project Manager, Stephen, (partner with Thornton Firkin), confirms we are on track and gives us assurance that welcoming patients and families back to inpatient care is not too far away.
“Thornton Firkin LLP are very pleased to continue their relationship with St. Barnabas, assisting with their refurbishment of the In-Patient Unit. Utilising the same design team from the Boston Wellbeing Centre project, together with an excellent relationship and assistance with the dedicated estates and clinical teams has ensured that the development of the project is progressing well towards completion of the building works by the end of October.”
The main contractor, Miller Knight of Mansfield, are being very pro-active in their approach when faced with difficulties associated with an existing building. The project team will shortly be reviewing a completed room to set the quality standard throughout the building.
The St Barnabas Team look forwards to welcoming everyone back in a few weeks.
How to access support and refer patients for Specialist Palliative Care
As a reminder to all our colleagues in Lincolnshire the advice line number for specialist palliative care is 0300 303 1754, please just give us a call we will be happy to help.
The next update will be published the week of Monday 5th September 2022.
Tai chi sessions support patients’ health and wellbeing
After a long two and a half year wait, St Barnabas Hospice were delighted to restart their free seated tai chi sessions for patients on Wednesday 3rd August 2022.
Jude Tring, Health and Rehabilitation Support Worker, delivers the classes, which include a social group element, every Wednesday afternoon at the St Barnabas building on Hawthorn Road in Lincoln. Patients who attend these sessions can bring along a partner or friend for support, and will be offered six sessions, with a video provided afterwards to continue the exercise at home.
The first patient to come through the door since the Covid pandemic began was Sally and her husband Ian, pictured. Sally was presented with a symbolic flower by Jude, and thoroughly enjoyed the session, alongside several other St Barnabas patients.
The patients and their spouses spent half an hour before and after the session talking and getting to know each other over a drink and biscuits, giving them the opportunity to meet new people that understand their journey.
Jude comments: “It was a wonderful feeling to be able to offer our patients access to this social contact and peer support again, which has been greatly missed over the length of the Covid pandemic. And of course, the great benefit of these sessions is the health and wellbeing that comes from the tai chi itself.
“All attendees left smiling and relaxed and said they were looking forward to coming back again next week!”
People with a life-limiting or terminal illness may find that due to the effects of illness, long stays in hospital and fatigue, patients can lose muscular and core strength and general fitness. Tai chi performed regularly can help to promote increased muscle tone, joint mobility, and create a feeling of wellbeing and relaxation.
St Barnabas Hospice is currently running the sessions for patients in Lincoln, with plans to expand this service to other areas of the county soon.
Please note, these sessions are only available for patients receiving care from St Barnabas Hospice.
Lincoln IPU Refurbishment and Re-opening Update
As part of the ongoing monitoring of all elements of our closure, we continue to receive feedback and reflections from our staff who are working in various areas of the healthcare system across Lincolnshire, continuing the support for palliative patients.
“There are a lot of differences between the IPU and the Hospice in the Hospital, but our goal remains the same; to ensure palliative care patients receive the symptom management they deserve and that their end of life is dignified and comfortable.
I have only worked at St Barnabas for 6 months. However, It has been so nice to share experiences and differences within a service we both provide. Both myself and the staff I am working alongside have been able to cement and develop our knowledge and professional relationships which can only better support our patients in the future.” – RN deployed to the HitH on placement
An artist’s impression of how the new Wellbeing Room is coming together with restful colours for curtains, pelmets, and the oak flooring.
Michelle Webb, Director of Patient Care adds “The newly refreshed Unit will enhance patient experience by bringing natural colours into the Unit. We know that nature has a positive impact on wellbeing and the Unit will have a similar colour palette to St Barnabas units across the County”.
Sue Carter, the IPU Ward Manager, has been supporting the procurement of some new equipment to enhance the quality of care and support we can deliver as a team.
Sue has explained that the new recliner chairs for the unit will not only provide comfort but also improve safety and potentially reduce symptom burden for our patients.
They will improve access to complimentary therapies and also enhance the ability for patient independence such as being able to eat comfortably positioned; after all, eating is not just about nutrition, it is a social, pleasurable experience on both the physical and psychological level.
Sue has also updated that she and the project team are carefully planning everything that is required to welcome our patients safely back into Hospice Care.
How to access support and refer patients for Specialist Palliative Care
As a reminder to all our colleagues in Lincolnshire the advice line number for specialist palliative
care is 0300 303 1754, please just give us a call we will be happy to help.
The next update will be published the week of Monday 22nd August 2022.
Care for a Cuppa at historic Middle Rasen Watermill raises over £2,000
On Saturday 6th August, St Barnabas Fundraising Officer Ellie Carter and her parents Mandy and Mark held a Care for a Cuppa fundraiser at their home; The Watermill in Middle Rasen.
The family opened their doors to residents from the community, friends, and family. Over 200 people attended the day, raising an amazing total of £2,154.05 for the Hospice, which could cover the cost for 60 hours of specialist Inpatient care.
Supporters were spoiled for choice with a large selection of baked goods and refreshments, along with children’s games, a tombola, and a raffle with 40 prizes to celebrate 40 years of St Barnabas, which were kindly donated by local businesses.
The Watermill is well known to those who live in the area as a Grade II listed building from the late 17th century situated along the River Rase.
Attendees were able to enjoy the sunshine and catch up with their neighbours and meet new people, as well as take a tour of the Watermill and the grounds.
Ellie says: “This was such a feel-good day for our family and the whole community! Everyone said they had missed this social contact during the pandemic, and they all thoroughly enjoyed the day. It was an amazing turn out with such positive feedback and support”
“My family and friends who helped us had an amazing day and we can’t wait for it to become a yearly event”
Many thanks to Ellie, Mandy and Mark and of course everyone who attended, for their donations and support.
Care for a Cuppa is a new campaign by St Barnabas Hospice, which encourages supporters to put the kettle on and host their own coffee morning, to raise vital funds for the charity.
To find out more about Care for a Cuppa or to get started on hosting your own, click here.
For every pound raised for St Barnabas, 77p goes straight towards delivering, and improving the care and support the charity offers to over 12,000 people every year. The other 23p goes towards generating future income.
Shop Managers come together – and celebrate Carol’s 25th anniversary
On Wednesday 27th July 2022, St Barnabas Hospice staff came together in a meeting for shop managers across the region.
This is the first time the team has been able to hold this meeting face-to-face since the Covid pandemic started, and everyone enjoyed seeing their colleagues in person again.
The team discussed their challenges, opportunities and experiences over the past few years, as well as all their exciting plans for the future.
Other departments were also in attendance, including representatives from fundraising, The People Team and volunteering, who spoke about their work and upcoming plans. Chief Executive Chris Wheway and Director of Income Generation Paul Furbey were also in attendance.
On top of this, we celebrated Carol Chandler, who currently manages Lincoln’s Monks Road charity shop. She has been a manager with St Barnabas for an incredible 25 years, having volunteered for us another 3 years before that.
Chris Wheway and Head of Retail Caroline Peach presented Carol with beautiful flowers to celebrate this fantastic milestone.
Caroline comments: “Carol is at the heart of her shop with a loyal team of volunteers, making the store a real hub in the local community. Thank you so much for everything Carol, you really are a star!”
A big thank you to Carol and all the shop managers across our 25 shops in Lincolnshire, for all their hard work and keeping our shops running!
Top picture L-R: Chief Executive Chris Wheway, Carol Chandler, and Head of Retail Caroline Peach
St Barnabas Hospice Partner with Pygott & Crone As Charity Partner of the Year
Pictured above L-R: Jamie Aspland, Caroline Swindin, Kevin Scrupps
Pygott & Crone Estate Agents have chosen St Barnabas Hospice as their charity partner until May 2023, aiming to raise more than £20,000 for the charity.
As part of that fundraising effort, the estate agents will become a Silver Sponsor of St Barnabas Hospice’s HeART Trail, which will officially get underway in 2023, aiming to raise over £300,000 and attract 500,000 visitors to Lincolnshire.
Pygott & Crone will start up their own fundraising initiatives as well as put a spin on some of St Barnabas’s more popular activities, such as the Pub Quiz and 40 for 40 Challenge. To get their fundraising underway, eight members of the team will be taking part in this year’s Great North Run.
Members of the public will soon be able to see the partnership in action on their digital screens and with collection pots in Pygott & Crone branches across Lincolnshire.
Caroline Swindin, Fundraising Development Manager at St Barnabas Hospice, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be working collaboratively together with the teams at Pygott & Crone; such partnerships are invaluable both in helping to raise awareness of the diverse range of care and support we provide along with raising vital funds. This is an exciting partnership for both parties and will enable the team at Pygott & Crone to join us in fundraising and volunteering to make a difference to those in our local communities.”
Kevin Scrupps, Director at Pygott & Crone, said: “We are delighted to be working with St Barnabas again; the Charity is very close to our hearts. Personally, my family had their support at what was a difficult time, and they were amazing. This Charity provides services when families most need support and care, and the service is provided in such a caring way. It’s probably not until you need their support you realise how amazing they are in our communities.
“Hopefully, we can help ensure this support is available to more families in the future.”
Jamie Aspland, Branch Manager of Pygott & Crone Sleaford, is a Volunteer Ambassador for St Barnabas and is fully supported by the company and will continue to act in this role and make a positive contribution to support the work of the Hospice.
Jamie said: “I personally experienced St Barnabas and the care they offer when my late father passed away, I have continued to support this amazing charity both personally and with our company. St Barnabas will always hold a special place in my heart for being there when I needed them most.”
Lincoln IPU Refurbishment and Re-opening Update
Headlines
• The demolition has been completed and the building has been cleared
• The site is ready for its first fix electrics, and mechanical services.
• We are working with an Architect to design the décor and choose the furniture
• The clinical staff are working in the community, supporting the Hospital and other Lincolnshire Hospice services.
• The re-opening of the Inpatient Unit is on track, for November 2022
An update from Nicky Ingall, Head of Estates and Facilities
“The IPU refurbishment work is making great progress, with the demolition work over and the contractors starting the ‘first fix’ of the electrics. With the Inpatient Unit being 150 years old, we expected that we may uncover further work that was needed. However, we have been fortunate not to find any surprises and managed to maintain the schedule to date.
The majority of the work undertaken has been structural, so far. This week I have been working closely with the Interior Designer and Marketing department to formulate a design
for the interiors and a review of all our signage. We want to make sure the building is as welcoming as possible, bringing elements of the outdoors in and to keep the colour pallets neutral. Much like our recent work at Novak House, St Barnabas Wellbeing Centre in Boston. I look forward to the facility reopening to staff and patients in November.”
A message from Carina Bristow, Specialty Doctor in Palliative Medicine
“I have found the redeployment from our Inpatient Unit has been a very positive experience so far! Having started work in Lincolnshire in 2016 it was clear to me that I had a very limited working knowledge of the community palliative teams and how they work with other organisations in the county to deliver cohesive palliative care.
Although this definitely increased over my time working in the Inpatient Unit, being out in the community has given me a much better understanding of how everything fits and opened my eyes to some of the issues that the community teams can face. This will help when I give advice to the community teams in the future as I will be able to signpost to services differently and suggest plans more effectively.
“It has long been an ambition of mine to go into the community to meet my colleagues and put faces to names of people that I am so often on the phone to. We are all finding that having met each other has broken down some barriers. Speaking to my community colleagues recently I am confident that they will be much more likely to phone the inpatient unit for advice, now they have met me and have realised how friendly I am!”
How to access support and refer patients for Specialist Palliative Care
As a reminder to all our colleagues in Lincolnshire the advice line number for specialist palliative
care is 0300 303 1754, please just give us a call we will be happy to help.
The next update will be published the week of Monday 1st August 2022
St Barnabas Hospice Lincoln Inpatient Unit Refurbishment and Re-opening Update
The refurbishment work at the Inpatient Unit on Nettleham Road is well underway and the much-loved Unit is not recognisable at the moment due to the demolition work taking place.
Contacts for the project are:
• Michelle Webb – Director of Care – Operational and Clinical enquiries
• Dr Georgina Keenleyside – Medical Director, Clinical enquires
• Sue Carter – Unit Manager, Operational and Clinical enquiries
• Nicky Ingall – Head of Estates, project enquiries
Our Head of Facilities Nicky made a site visit this week and reports that the Unit is in good hands with our Contractor and work is progressing to schedule at present.
An update from Sue Carter, Inpatient Unit Ward Manager: “The Inpatient Unit advice line remains working well and is increasingly busy. Please don’t forget the line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, manned by our friendly doctors and nurses, so please do give us a call!”
Our Team update
Sue has received some great feedback this week from a couple of the IPU staff from their placements. The below quotes are from Sophie Slaughter and Amy Damarell.
Sophie says: “During the Inpatient unit closure, I have been redeployed to different areas within the hospital to gain insight into how they support palliative and end of life patients. I have really enjoyed spending time with various professionals learning about different services that are available to our patients and carers, whilst building professional contacts which will benefit patients when the unit is back open.
“It is great to be able to assist patients/professionals within the hospital setting and reassure them on how they can be supported by St Barnabas whether that be calling the advice line or community support upon discharge.”
Amy says: “Having a placement within the ward at Louth hospital was brilliant! We were welcomed and supported and felt we were able to work as part of the team supporting their patients with their holistic care needs. If ever the need arose, I would be happy to support them, feeling confident I could work competently alongside them.”
Michelle Webb, Director of Care, at the Hospice adds the Hospice has been closed almost 4 weeks now. Please be assured we will keep you updated of the progress we are making to improve the Unit.
If you have any comments or questions about our refurbishment plans, please contact any of the above-named colleagues on 01522 511566.
How to access support and refer patients for Specialist Palliative Care
As a reminder to all our colleagues in Lincolnshire the advice line number for specialist palliative care is 0300 303 1754, please just give us a call we will be happy to help.
The next update will be published the week commencing 18th July 2022.
St Barnabas Hospice Wins ‘Highly Commended’ for its Sensory Garden at the Lincolnshire Show
St Barnabas Hospice is delighted to announce that its Sensory Show Garden has been awarded Highly Commended by the President of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society.
The Hospice can’t thank the staff and students at Riseholme College enough for their help with planting the garden and building the wheelchair-friendly flowerbeds and archway out of recycled, sustainable materials. The hospice would also like to thank everyone else who contributed to the development of the garden.
Visitors flocked to the garden over the two days of the Lincolnshire Show, learning more about the Hospice and why the garden’s sensory and accessibility features are so important. To gain a moment’s respite from the beating sun, visitors also enjoyed the first taste of St Barnabas Hospice’s new gin, Est.1982 Ruby, produced by long-standing Charity Partners of the Hospice, Bottomley Distillers.
The garden, which was originally intended for St Barnabas Hospice’s wellbeing centre in Boston before the pandemic, was designed by local landscape gardener Caroline Stanley from Inspirational Gardens. The garden is a reflective and relaxing space for all to enjoy, designed with the senses in mind and dementia-friendly elements with fragrant plants and some raised beds allowing patients of all mobility to touch and smell the flowers.
Head of Fundraising and Lottery, Veronica McBain, said: “Of course, this isn’t just our award. This has been a huge collaborative project for us and I want to thank everyone who has gone above and beyond, especially the students of Riseholme College who worked in the heat to plant the garden and build the wheelchair-friendly raised beds.
“With thanks to Caroline Stanley, who designed the garden, and Amy and Alan, who have supported us not only with the Garden but with the launch of our third gin, Est.1982 Ruby, which launched with us at the Lincolnshire Show. Finally, we’d like to thank the Showground, who initiated the project and invited us to create a Garden suitable to display at the Show.
“The Hospice simply could not help the people of Lincolnshire without the support of people like this. Thank you.”
Curriculum Area Manager for the Land-Based Department at Riseholme College, Lenny Malloy, said: “We were approached by St Barnabas over two years ago now, asking if we’d be interested in creating a garden at the Show for them and it just so happened that it marked their 40th anniversary.
“The students have been heavily involved, they’ve been involved in the design of the garden, in conjunction with Pin Gin, all the way through to sourcing and planting the plants.”
The Sensory Garden will be moved and incorporated into St Barnabas Hospice’s wellbeing centre in Louth for both patients and staff to enjoy.
Introducing the BEAM Café, a new community-led mental health café making a difference in Boston
The BEAM café, a joint venture by St Barnabas Hospice, the Parish of Boston and the Boston Neighbourhood team is looking for new volunteers to help support local people struggling with their mental health.
The group, called the BEAM Café (Building Engagement Around Mental health), meets every Tuesday afternoon from 12pm to 3pm and Wednesday evening from 4pm to 7pm at St Botolph’s Church Boston (The Stump). This group offers people a safe space for anyone, over the age of 18, who is experiencing challenges with their mental health and wellbeing.
The BEAM Café first opened on Tuesday 1st February and has so far supported dozens of local people, both who attend the café regularly or who have attended as a one-off. The BEAM Café is there for any individual that could benefit from a listening ear, peer support and links to other groups or services if this is appropriate.
The BEAM Café is not clinically-led, but those who run the café help support people to access other services such as a mental health practitioner, Steps2Change or other support within the community through various community groups and activities. The sessions are primarily targeted towards but not limited to the people of Boston and the local area.
Michael, who lives in the Boston area, first started to attend the café in March after struggling with his mental health. Michael said: “I have been suffering with my mental health for many years, and it became more affected after my wife passed away three years ago. Having tried a range of methods and therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, I feel like the BEAM café has helped me with my mental health the most. Heidi and the volunteers are incredible at what they do. They are so compassionate, supportive and helpful; they care about everyone they talk to and have made a huge difference to the lives of not just myself but everyone who uses the groups. To me, the BEAM café is like a beam of light when you need it most.”
The Café is organised and run primarily by Heidi Freeman, Community Connector at St Barnabas, with the help of local volunteers and support practitioners. Heidi said:
“The project is a collaboration between St Barnabas, Boston Neighbourhood Team and the Parish of Boston. There is also a strong partnership working with other services such as Social Prescribing, Food Bank and many more who support people to access or refer to the café. During each session, I check in with the people coming along and explore with them if there’s anything that could be done differently. I think it’s vital to have participation feedback and to develop the project with the community.
“So far we have only been able to open the café up to local people on a Tuesday afternoon and a Wednesday night in the town of Boston. Starting on 11th July, we will be adding a new session every Monday afternoon from 1pm to 3pm at The Black Sluice café, which we are really looking forward to. I would like to extend the project and offer BEAM sessions in different settings on other days and evenings. I hope the next step is opening a BEAM on a Friday evening in Boston and a daytime in Wyberton or Kirton area.
“To grow the BEAM café and make it a success and sustainable, we need the help from local people who will be willing to volunteer to help run the sessions. The non-clinical and personal space that the café offers really does make a huge difference to people’s lives”.
For further details about the BEAM Café, and to register your interest in volunteering, please contact Heidi Freeman on 07833 786816 or ‘heidi.freeman@stbarnabashospice.co.uk’