Hospice Care Week 2024: Supporting Compassionate Care When It Matters Most
7th October 2024
By St David's Hospice Care
Hospice Care Week 2024: 7th–13th October 2024
At St David's Hospice Care, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centred care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses, ensuring they have the best quality of life possible. Hospice Care Week 2024 is an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary work we do while raising awareness of the financial challenges we face in delivering this vital service.
The Importance of Hospice Care
Hospices like St David’s provide not only medical care but also emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients and their families. Our services are designed to meet the individual needs of each patient, giving them choice and dignity at the end of their lives. In 2023-2024, St David’s cared for over 3,400 patients and their families, with more than 38,000 hours of care delivered through our Hospice at Home service.
The Financial Challenges We Face
Hospice care is free of charge to our patients, but it comes at a significant cost. St David's Hospice Care relies on a combination of government funding, donations, and retail sales from our 36 charity shops. However, more was spent in hospice charity shops last year than we received from the government. This reflects a growing crisis, as the funding model is unsustainable, and community fundraising alone cannot close the £60 million gap predicted for UK hospices in 2024.
To give some perspective:
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£28 in retail sales funds a hospice nurse for one hour.
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£1,034 funds a nurse for one week.
We are calling on the government to reassess how hospices are funded, ensuring that patients in need of end-of-life care do not miss out.
A Story of Compassion: Voices from St David’s
Our staff are at the heart of what we do. One shining example is Sara Martin, a Children and Young Person Support Worker in our Unicorn Service, which supports children who have lost someone close to them or who have a loved one with a terminal illness. Sara describes her role as deeply rewarding:
"I work with children and young people to help them make sense of their grief. We use creative approaches to help them express their feelings and learn coping skills. Being part of their journey, especially during such difficult times, is an honour. Knowing the impact we have on these young lives makes every day meaningful."
Similarly, Nicola Wall, a Healthcare Support Worker in our In-Patient Unit (IPU), highlights the privilege of working at St David's:
"After 20 years in my previous job, I worried about making the switch to hospice care. But working at St David’s is the best decision I ever made. The level of care and compassion we provide, not just to patients but to their families, is truly special. It’s a privilege to be part of their journey at such a crucial time."
These stories reflect the dedication and compassion that define St David’s Hospice Care, making a real difference to those in our community.
How You Can Support Us During Hospice Care Week
This Hospice Care Week, we are asking for your support. Here are some ways you can help:
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Donate: Every contribution helps us provide essential care services. Even a small donation can make a significant difference.
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Volunteer: Our hospice and charity shops rely on volunteers to keep services running smoothly. Volunteering your time can have a big impact.
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Shop with Purpose: Every purchase from our charity shops helps fund our services, so when you shop with us, you're directly supporting hospice care.
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Raise Awareness: Share our message on social media using the hashtag #HospiceCareWeek. The more people know about the challenges we face, the more we can work together for a better future.
Looking Ahead
The demand for hospice care continues to grow, and we are committed to expanding our services to meet the needs of diverse communities, including those with non-cancer diagnoses. With the support of our staff, volunteers, and generous community, St David’s Hospice Care will continue to provide the highest standard of palliative care, ensuring that every patient’s journey is met with dignity, compassion, and respect.
Together, we can make a difference. Let’s ensure that everyone has access the care they need, when they need it most.
Thank you for standing with us during Hospice Care Week 2024. Together, we can make a lasting difference.
