DARLO HOSPICE COLUMN (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

DARLO HOSPICE COLUMN

3:02pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News By

[STANDFIRST] In her latest column, St Teresa’s Hospice director Jane Bradshaw reflects on the organisation’s recent positive inspection and forward to forthcoming events [SF ENDS] I WOULD like to start by quoting the report from our latest inspection by the Care Quality Commission, which oversees care services to ensure we are meeting the correct standards.

It reads: “[One person] told us, ‘The staff have been marvellous, and can't do enough for me. They've helped with my pain management and are putting plans into place to help me get home. They keep me comfortable and they make me feel relaxed. I can have a laugh with them, which helps keeps me going.’

“Another person told us, ‘I've used the day services before so I knew it was very good but I think it's improved even more in the last year, especially the therapies. It seems to get better and better.’

“People who used different aspects of the service described the staff as ‘friendly’, ‘welcoming’, ‘respectful’ and ‘professional’.”

Following this unannounced inspection, we were found to be compliant in all areas, and the hospice was also described as “spotlessly clean” which is a credit to our housekeeping team, now led by Gaynor Regan.

We’re very grateful to Burns Night organiser Simon MacConachie, aided by hospice trustee Steve Rose, for putting on another enjoyable night of haggis, whisky and poetry in aid of a great cause at Hall Garth Hotel, and of course very many thanks to all who attended and helped to raise £3,535 for the hospice.

We are already preparing for our annual Easter egg tombola, when we’ll be back in Queen Street, Darlington, from March 18 to 30, and will be raffling off more than 100 eggs a day.

Obviously, this is a lot of chocolate, which is why we’re so grateful to everyone who give us eggs for the tombola.

If you’d like to help, please consider donating anything from a Cadbury’s Creme Egg upwards, and dropping it into the hospice or any of our shops.

When our admin team leader Patricia asked if she could wear her onesie to work, I knew we were onto a winner. Our first ever “Onesie Day” was a smashing success, supported by many across the town who took part and turned up to work in a romper suit.

We had some great laughs as our staff began to arrive – some more sheepishly than others. We laughed even harder when pictures started to come in from Darlington College, Starbucks and EE. Thank you to everyone who took part and helped to raise more than £250.

Since we had a fantastic girls’ night out last year, we’re excited to be returning to Darlington’s South Park for our annual Midnight Walk on May 17. Registration is now open, so pick up a form from our shops or download one from darlingtonhospice.org.uk Teams are very welcome – but you certainly won’t be alone! Fancy dress is optional.

LocalGiving.com has launched another matched funding campaign and is offering to match any monthly donation for a year up to £10 per month. If you are considering making a monthly donation to help us to continue our caring, this is a great opportunity to double the value of your gift! Just visit localgiving.com to find out more.

Jane Bradshaw, Hospice Director St Teresa’s Hospice - The Darlington & District Hospice Movement