A hospice matron has spoken out over concerns that patients in need of end-of-life care are staying away because of fears heightened by the pandemic.<\/p>\n
According to Jane McGrath, the numbers of in-patients and outpatients at St Kentigern in St Asaph \u2013 which serves parts of Conwy, Denbighshire and Flintshire – have been well below capacity in the wake of the Covid crisis.<\/p>\n
She worries some families are instead struggling desperately to cope at home through the heart-breaking trauma of end-of-life illness.<\/p>\n
The matron wanted to reassure patients and their loved ones that there was no reason to be afraid of reaching out for help at the most difficult time of their lives.<\/p>\n
St Kentigern was closed for 12 months while a \u00a32.8 million extension was built.<\/p>\n
Matron McGrath was appointed to manage the reopening of the hospice, with day therapy services returning in January 2020.<\/p>\n
The new 12-bed in-patient unit opened in the March on the day the UK went into total lockdown.<\/p>\n
The modern design of the in-patient unit meant that the 12 ensuite rooms, which all have individual access to the gardens, meant that loved ones were still able to visit throughout the height of the pandemic.<\/p>\n
It was, said the matron, a cruel irony that people were going without help when the facilities at the new-look hospice were second to none.<\/p>\n
She pointed out the problem of stay-away patients was not unique to St Kentigern because other hospices across Wales were also experiencing a reduction in referrals from the NHS.<\/p>\n
The matron said: \u201cIt was a very difficult and challenging time when the pandemic struck and we bubbled up the in-patient unit and had to stop our day therapies and services because we couldn\u2019t bring a lot of vulnerable people in and put them at risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe positive aspect was that we continued to care for people and we were able to let people have that \u00a0precious time with their families.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was incredibly difficult and we were all frightened but we did it, albeit with smaller numbers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are privileged that the community have supported us to have this building and the patients have dignity because all the rooms are individual rooms with en-suite bathroom facilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe facilities here are absolutely wonderful but the magic of St Kentigern is the people. They\u2019re the ones that matter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe support we provide is not just about the patient, it\u2019s about the carers as well \u2013 it\u2019s a whole family thing. We can be supporting 10 patients and 30 family members, so I am developing the family support team.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople can feel quite alone and frightened sometimes so you see when they come here, they breathe a sigh of relief. It\u2019s like being enveloped in a hospice hug<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cWe work very closely in partnership with the Specialist Palliative Care team in Glan Clwyd Hospital who also see patients in the community, so the majority of our referrals come through them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a national shortage of GPs and in some practices people no longer have a named doctor.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne consequence is that people are sometimes being diagnosed a bit later than they might previously have been.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe system isn\u2019t functioning in the same way as it was pre-pandemic and that is having an impact on all hospices across Wales so it\u2019s not a local problem as such.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key is for me is to let people know who we are and let the community know we are here when they need us.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re a patient who\u2019s been diagnosed with a cancer or a life-limiting illness that is palliative not curative and you feel they could benefit from accessing some of our services, then please speak to the health professional supporting you and we can talk about a referral.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also understand that people are frightened of the word hospice. While people do come here to die, people also come here and live. Quality of life is important at every single stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re a carer and you\u2019re really worried about how you are going to cope because the death of your loved one is close and you don\u2019t know where to turn, come to talk to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a message echoed by hospice chief executive Iain Mitchell who said: \u201cWe don\u2019t want people to endure any additional, unnecessary suffering when they are already having to bear the hardship of an incurable illness.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are open and we\u2019re standing ready to serve the community\u00a0 That\u2019s the message we want to get out. If you need hospice care or you want advice on hospice care, we are here for you.\u201d<\/p>\n