Demand for services from Arthur Rank Hospice Charity in Cambridge has surged since the outbreak of Covid-19 began last month.
In just one month (from February to March 2020) the hospice experienced a 61 per cent increase in the number of referrals to the Hospice at Home night service.
Calls to the hospice have also increased, as demonstrated by the 27.5 per cent rise in the length of time spent on triage calls by the Arthur Rank Community Team.
Strict restrictions have had to be introduced for visitors to the Inpatient Unit, and care staff across all services are struggling with the harsh reality of not being able to offer a comforting hug or a hand to family members and their loved ones to hold during moments of heart-breaking loss.
The hospice has had to reduce many of its services to protect the safety of its patients whilst simultaneously refocusing on the core healthcare needs of the local community. However despite the difficult circumstances caused by the outbreak, in March the Inpatient Unit provided care to 27 patients with complex end of life needs, alongside 19 patients in nurse-led beds.
The hospice’s clinical team are working closely with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Commissioning Group (CCG), Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, and social care networks to ensure the hospice is doing everything it can to support the healthcare needs of the wider Cambridgeshire population.
Retired staff, GPs and student doctors have volunteered for clinical roles, and administrative and fundraising staff have been redeployed to further support clinical teams. The Voluntary Services team have adapted their ‘Caring Communities’ scheme into a telephone befriender service for lonely and isolated people across the county – not just end of life care patients.
Additionally local businesses have rallied around the hospice, donating essential items such as PPE for clinical colleagues and iPads for patients enabling them to communicate with loved ones.
Initial financial forecasts have identified that the hospice will lose at least £700,000 of potential income over the next six months. This is due to scores of fundraising events having to be cancelled; the closure of charity shops and the cancellation of training and conference events. There are also hidden costs such as the volunteers who are in isolation and therefore unable to fulfil their valuable roles supporting clinical colleagues. The hospice has launched an appeal in response to the crisis.
Supporters are also invited to send encouraging messages (or posters) to go on the #HospiceHeroes online notice board.
Sharon Allen, CEO of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, says: “Never would we have anticipated something like Covid-19 and how this would affect us all in the way that it has. The adverse circumstances in which we find ourselves seem to change hour by hour, whilst the admiration I have for each of my colleagues grows every day, as they constantly adjust, evolve and innovate.
“Whether it is the fundraiser who is being redeployed to work as a healthcare assistant, a Ward Sister recording a video to appeal for protective gloves and masks, or the facilities team putting new infection control measures in place… they have all been incredible.
“We need to ensure that we can carry on delivering essential care and services now, whilst also ensuring that services remain sustainable into the future. We truly hope that the people of Cambridgeshire will answer our SOS.”
For more information visit Arthur Rank Hospice Charity
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