From the Front Line of Hospice Care

After what has been an extremely challenging year for everyone, The Myton Hospices wanted to reflect on the last year and share some of their journey with you. They asked Myton Nurse of ten years, Chad Khaira, to write down her experiences over the past 12 months and reflect on what it’s been like on the front line of hospice care.  

My name is Chad and I’ve been a nurse at Myton for just over 10 years, I started as a staff nurse on Coventry Myton Inpatient Unit (CIPU) and worked my way up to a senior staff nurse and then team leader. I’ve recently taken on a new role as Clinical Nurse Practitioner in the Myton at Home team, whilst still working some shifts on CIPU.

I wanted to write to you and thank you for your support this year, it’s not been an easy year by any stretch of the imagination and I hope you and your loved ones are keeping safe. I was asked if I’d write down my experiences over the past 12 months and reflect on what it’s like on the front line of hospice care.

I enjoy nursing, and the level of care we provide to patients and the time we give to their families is incredible. The hardest part of my role is the emotional aspect of caring for patients who are dying and the most rewarding is the difference we make to ensure that they are as comfortable as can be. This has remained the same throughout the year and not changed during the pandemic. Although the public closed their doors to protect themselves we kept open our doors at the hospice. The Thank you clap on Thursday’s was a humbling time as a nurse, but we’ve always provided this care, it’s what Myton is all about.

When it all started back in March 2020 I was extremely worried that I would get Covid, but more so that I would take it home to my family. I thought about different ways I could protect my family and when I sat as far away as I could at the dining table my son said “Don’t worry mum, sit where you want to, if you’ve got it we will all get it anyway”. I have been exposed to Covid, but thankfully I haven’t caught it. I have been so careful and sacrificed a lot, as have all my family.

I continued my role working within the hospice and the level of care we deliver hasn’t changed. We’ve pulled together as a team more than ever to support each other. The unit became more clinical with how it looks and we soon learnt how to put on and take off all the PPE. Through the summer is was tough wearing it for 11.5 hour shifts, but I got used to it. It’s sad that when I’m wearing PPE patients can’t see my smile and holding a patient’s hand whilst wearing gloves just isn’t the same. Distancing from relatives who are upset is really difficult when you want to be able to comfort them.

At some points during the pandemic we’ve had to restrict visiting which has been very difficult, it’s hard to ask people to choose who can see them, knowing that this would be the last time they see their loved ones. I know this has been about national guidance but it has been a struggle.

As is the same for many, my only social interaction over the past year has been with colleagues and they have grown to be my friends more than ever. It’s been a privilege to be part of the same journey and make a difference together. Some of our colleagues have retired and left Myton and we didn’t get the opportunity to say goodbye. We’ve had to change how we practice and we’ve worked harder than ever, the pressure has been relentless with members of staff being off sick, shielding or isolating. Because of the situation we’ve sadly had to withdraw some services like our day units, but we’ve been working really hard to offer alternatives at home or remotely.

Over the year our workload has increased dramatically and sometimes it feels like we have been pushed to our limits. The hospitals were forced to delay non-Covid related appointments and it feel like that’s impacted directly on the patients we are seeing now. Those who have not been investigated and those frightened to go for chemotherapy and radiotherapy, it’s heart breaking and I’m worried about the months ahead, but we will keep going like we always do.

My role in the Myton at Home team is a new challenge for me, the biggest difference is that we provide care to patients in their own homes. This means that their relatives can be with them when they need them the most and they are able to spend this time together as a family. We provide care for the patients and ensure that their family is also supported. We as a team are proud to be able to offer this service to enable people to stay at home when they are dying. We can support carers who are struggling with managing everything themselves, as they are unable to have help from family and friends due to the restrictions. We as a team try and make a difference to the last days or weeks of a patient’s life.

I had my vaccine a few weeks ago and it feels like a milestone, we are moving forward but it’s still hard to stay positive sometimes. It doesn’t look like the virus is going away any time soon, I know more people that have had Covid and we are becoming tired of the situation we are in. But nevertheless we continue to provide the best possible compassionate care.

This year isn’t going to be easy but the support of our community and volunteers is incredible, we’ve been sent cards, gifts, food and PPE. Some of our amazing volunteers have returned to help on the unit and other areas of Myton and we look forward to seeing all the others once restrictions are lifted. After we were on the news the phone didn’t stop ringing all weekend with people wanting to make much needed donations and help in any way they can.

I’m sure that together we can get through this. Thanks once again for the support you’ve shown us throughout this incredibly difficult year. Enclosed is a summary of the last 12 months since our worlds were turned upside down. I hope you understand how much your support means to us and that our work is made possible thanks to you.

With sincere thanks from me and the rest of the Myton Team.

Chad Khaira

CEO, Ruth Freeman said:

“We are incredibly proud of our front line teams and their commitment to providing the very best palliative and end of life care. They have been working in a constant crisis situation for 12 months now and continue to play a vital role in the ongoing response to COVID-19. Despite facing huge professional and personal challenges their dedication has not wavered, they have pulled together more than ever to look after our patients, families and each other.”

“I also want to thank our local community for their support. With your backing we are confident that we can continue to provide our vital services for more people when they need us most, now and in the future. Along with our amazing team of staff and volunteers, our patients and their families, you are at the heart of our story, none of this would have been possible without the huge outpouring of kindness, generosity and support you have shown us. Thank you from all of us at Myton, we couldn’t have got through it without you.”