Harrogate hospice "couldn't be prouder" of how they've supported the NHS
Saint Michael's Hospice have helped to relieve pressure on our hospitals throughout the pandemic
The chief executive of a Harrogate hospice charity has said he "couldn't be prouder" of how they have helped to support the NHS during 2021.
Saint Michael’s Hospice worked hard to make sure their services were still able to run – relieving pressure on our hospitals who were trying to cope with the demand of coronavirus patients.
They were able to treat patients in person and virtually, to make sure their they didn’t miss out on vital care.
Tony Collins, chief executive, said:
"We needed to support the efforts of the NHS. We couldn't suddenly reduce our capacity and services because that would've had a knock-on effect. That's why we ramped up and tried to do more. We're facing covid as a healthcare system rather than as a single organisation.
"I couldn't be prouder of the organisation and the way it has stepped up. Not only has it taken the services and retained them in their current status but we've also expanded quite a lot; both in what we're providing in people's homes, in the helplines we provided and we've not closed any of the services that were traditionally there."
The charity and hospice sector has taken a huge hit financially during the pandemic, with large fundraising events cancelled to try and prevent the spread of covid.
It's meant that individuals have had to step up to do their own challenges to raise vital funds for organisations like Saint Michael's.
One man grew a GIANT pumpkin and held a competition for people to guess how much it raised. Each entry fee went to Saint Michael's.
Ian Hutton and partner, Natalie, chose to support the hospice after having a family friend, Stephen, stay with them.
Mr Collins, added:
"We consider ourselves to be owned by the community. We continue to respond to the community needs as they change, as they grow and they continue to support us more and more.
"I've never felt more supported or encouraged as we have done during the pandemic and I already felt like we were very supported before that."
The charity's emotional wellbeing and bereavement service Just ‘B’ is reminding local people that their specialist support workers are here to help over the New Year period – and beyond.
The Just ‘B’ Hear to Help community support line is designed to provide support to local people struggling with their emotional wellbeing and is open to all ages, 8am – 8pm, seven days a week.
Just ‘B’ is part of a family of services, which includes Saint Michael’s Hospice, and has been providing expert emotional wellbeing and bereavement support for more than 10 years.
Throughout November and December the hospice hosted virtual and in person events to remember past patients.
Light Up a Life was set up so people can reflect on the memories they have of loved ones who have passed on.
Last year, the charity’s annual Light up a Life proceedings were hosted exclusively online due to Covid-19 restrictions.
In December, Saint Michael’s welcomed its community back to Crimple House to provide a special opportunity to remember loved ones, bringing love, comfort and hope to families living with terminal illness and bereavement.