At the end of 2023, GHHC in Letchworth launched their frailty service idea to a group of local businesses and supporters.
The idea was to open the hospice to support patients in the community with symptoms linked to their long-term conditions, preventing hospital admissions. The hospice can offer the right support to put them on a pathway to return home.
The Frailty Service team will then become their first point of contact instead of their local GP or hospital. We all understand how stretched NHS services are and the Hospice can provide the beds and resources to deal with their needs in a compassionate way. Ultimately, providing their expert end of life care when needed.
Of course, we had to get on board and as a founding supporter of the scheme we have had incredible insight to their success stories to date and we thought we would share just one with you.
“Last week I was totally uncertain about what tomorrow was going to bring and I was scared. A week later I feel like a totally different person and I’m looking forward to life.”
(From GHHC Newsletter 05/07/2024 – Some names have been changed)
Three weeks ago, Jack was admitted to hospital with symptoms of frailty. He had lost the use of his legs and wasn’t coping at home. It was there that he was introduced to our Frailty In-Reach Nurse, Jenny, and was transferred to the Hospice two days later.
“I went to hospital because I had nowhere else to go and I didn’t know what was wrong with me. I laid in the hospital bed for three weeks, not really sleeping, eating, or moving around and I was scared about where things were going.”
“Everything changed the moment I met Jenny. She was so kind, knowledgeable and gave me and my family confidence that being transferred to the Hospice was the best thing for me. I wasn’t wrong. On my first day here, I was supported to get out of bed, to have a hot shower, a freshly cooked meal and I spent time with the incredible team in the Inpatient Unit and Rehab and Wellbeing team to discuss achievable next steps. Within two days I was back on my feet and supported to walk around the beautiful hospice gardens. It’s incredible.”
“They have given me my independence back.”
The Rehab and Wellbeing team have visited Jack’s home, assessing his living space with him to ensure he was able to remain independent in his own environment. He will go home and will continue to be supported by the Hospice’s Rehab and Wellbeing and Community Teams.
Integrating back into the community can be tricky when you’re living with symptoms of frailty. To break down barriers in access to services, the hospice has started a minibus service which has already booked to take him to and from one of the 10 weekly Wellbeing Hubs.
You can find out more at ghhospicecare.org.uk/frailty-service
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