Hospices

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Discussion

cazzer

Original Poster:

8,883 posts

255 months

Tuesday 2nd March 2010
quotequote all
BJWs thread the other day made me post this.

I work for a large hospice.
I don't know if many of you know this, but hopices are not part of the NHS and only recieve part of their funding from them. Usually around 40%.
My hospice needs to raise around 8 million pounds a year to break even.
They rely on public donations to survive. I know were all stretched for cash these days but if yer wondering where to stick yer charity pound think about your local hospice. One day you may be glad they're there.

When I first got involved with hospices I believed, like many people, that they are just a place where people go to die.
They arn't, they are so much more. They allow people to live with dignity, if they are at the end of their life they manage the pain. If they have just been diagnosed they offer counselling services and support for relatives and carers.
We even provide hairdressing services for people undergoing chemo.

Well, thats it really, not really a major earth shattering topic, but hey. Just give em a thought.

Shaw Tarse

31,671 posts

210 months

Tuesday 2nd March 2010
quotequote all
Sorry but how much does a hosspiss?
getmecoat

whirligig

941 posts

202 months

Tuesday 2nd March 2010
quotequote all
Well said. We have a children's hospice near us and the work they do for the whole affected family is fantastic. As you say, not just about dying, but how to manage it and deal with the aftermath. And the staff are outstanding - one of these things you tend to not think about until you are maybe in the unfortunately position to need one.

cazzer

Original Poster:

8,883 posts

255 months

Tuesday 2nd March 2010
quotequote all
Come on mods. This is not a health issue.
I was posting this to try and get the maximum exposure to people who may not come into contact with hospices or know they're charities.

could you move it back please.

TUS 373

4,768 posts

288 months

Tuesday 2nd March 2010
quotequote all
Well said!

I'm a trustee / director for our local hospice. Just one of the 400+ volunteers that support the organisation. Last year, I witnessed first hand how they operate and looked after a family member with a terminal illness. End of life is inevitable, so why not do all possible to manage that process for the person and their family?

Unfortunately as said above, the NHS only funds around 1/3 of the running costs - the rest has to be raised (£4m in our case).

Agree with the OPs sentiments - this is not a health issue, its a life issue.

eybic

9,212 posts

181 months

Wednesday 3rd March 2010
quotequote all
They are fantastic places, my Mum was in one for her last days and it made us feel so much better knowing she could get help whenever she needed it.

I did a skydive for the one my Mum was in (Thames Valley Hospice) and raised just over £1000, I asked how much it costs to care for someone there and the lady told me it is £500 per night

Edited by eybic on Wednesday 3rd March 08:29

dmitsi

3,583 posts

227 months

Wednesday 3rd March 2010
quotequote all
The only money I don't spend on myself goes to three local hospices. The care one of them provided my grandfather was fantastic, and made the last years of his life as pleasant as he could hope for. He was a cheeky sod right up till the end and genuinely loved the people there. So much so he changed his will to leave them as much as he could afford.
My mother volunteered at one as a bereavement counsellor, and it's not just the patients who benefit, but their families too.

I hope you keep getting enough money, I'll keep helping until I'm broke or dead.

cazzer

Original Poster:

8,883 posts

255 months

Wednesday 3rd March 2010
quotequote all
dmitsi said:
The only money I don't spend on myself goes to three local hospices. The care one of them provided my grandfather was fantastic, and made the last years of his life as pleasant as he could hope for. He was a cheeky sod right up till the end and genuinely loved the people there. So much so he changed his will to leave them as much as he could afford.
My mother volunteered at one as a bereavement counsellor, and it's not just the patients who benefit, but their families too.

I hope you keep getting enough money, I'll keep helping until I'm broke or dead.
clap


Wish they'd put this thread back.