Volunteers, former and current staff, supporters, local organisations, and those cared for by Marie Curie attended special tea parties on 22 June to mark the 10thanniversary of the Marie Curie Hospice, West Midlands in Solihull.
Over the last 10 years, Marie Curie has delivered care to over 13,500 patients in the West Midlands, providing nursing services in patient’s homes as well as in the In-Patient Unit at the hospice.
In the last 5 years, 52% more people have been supported by community services and 70% more people have been supported as an outpatient.
Marie Curie has had a presence in the Midlands for over 70 years and this year the leading end of life charity is celebrating its 75th anniversary of providing expert care and support to dying people in the UK.
The former Marie Curie Hospice was at Warren Pearl House in Solihull which had been caring for patients in the region since 1965.
The current Marsh Lane hospice building was opened in 2013 after years of planning and welcomed His Majesty King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) in his role as patron of the charity in June 2013. During his tour of the building and grounds, The King visited the day service centre, met volunteer gardeners and staff, and spent time privately with patients.
The hospice must fund raise £10,830 every day to fund the hospice and its services which equates to £3,952,950 every year.
Sue Morgan, Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships and Services, Midlands said:
“There was a celebratory atmosphere at the tea parties we hosted for supporters, volunteers, staff (past and present) and local organisations to thank everyone who was involved in the funding of this building, and anyone supported by Marie Curie in the past 10 years.
“By 2040, we expect the need for palliative and end of life care to have increased by up to 42%. Without urgent change, the gaps in end-of-life provision will only get larger and more people will die without adequate help or support.
“So, to start reaching people more urgently, we need to use all of our 75 years of experience to collaborate with others in the Midlands and find new ways to support people.”
Evening event – cutting the cake left to right: Sue Morgan (Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships and Services, Marie Curie Midlands), Hazel Carter (husband Alan cared for by Hospice in 2019), Andy Street (West Midlands Mayor)
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands said:
“The Marie Curie hospice does such important work – supporting patients and their carers with tremendous compassion and sensitivity.
“That’s why it’s great to be able to come in person to mark 10 years of service at this current site during which time it has delivered care to over 13,500 patients – both here at the hospice and out in the community in local people’s homes.
“Good palliative and end of life care can make all the difference to individuals and families at what is a trying time. So I thank all those involved for all that they do.”
Hazel Carter whose husband Alan died from motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019 aged 64 and was cared for by Marie Curie spoke movingly at the event
“Not everyone is aware that Marie Curie doesn’t just care for cancer patients but anyone who has a terminal illness and needs help. We had tremendous support from Marie Curie, because our multi-disciplinary care team meetings were based at the Solihull hospice. We saw a bereavement counsellor and psychologist there, as well as complementary therapists and our MND nurse. We also had an occupational therapist and physiotherapist visit our home on several occasions.
“I cannot praise the staff at Marie Curie enough. I think without their support I’d have gone insane, and Alan would not have had the quality of care he deserved. His last two months of life were in Marie Curie Solihull. I was with him the moment he died.”
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Lead Photo: Morning event cake cutting – left to right:
Sue Morgan (Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships and Services, Marie Curie Midlands), Mayor’s Consort, Dr Sarah Wells (Medical Director Marie Curie West Midlands), Cllr Diana Holl-Allen MBE (Mayor of Solihull Council), Cllr Ian Courts (Leader of Solihull Council), Michelle Walker (Ward Sister, Marie Curie Hospice Solihull), Amelia Blackburn (Person with lived experience of MC’s Children and Young Person’s Bereavement Service)
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The Marie Curie hospice provides In-Patient and Outpatient care as well as a Support and Wellbeing Hub which provides holistic support to people with both their physical and emotional wellbeing, including bereavement support.
There is a specialist team of doctors, social workers and clinical nurses based at the hospice who provide virtual consultations online or home visits. A team of Clinical Nurse Specialists work closely with district nurses and GPs to co-ordinate each person’s care.
Occupational therapists and physiotherapists also provide services at home. These services have become an extension of the hospice services and designed to meet the changing preferences as to where people received their care.
About Marie Curie – mariecurie.org.uk
Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end of life charity. The charity provides essential nursing and hospice care for people with any terminal illness, a free support line and a wealth of information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement.
It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK. Marie Curie is committed to sharing its expertise to improve quality of care and ensuring that everyone has a good end of life experience. Marie Curie is calling for recognition and sustainable funding of end-of-life care and bereavement support.
Marie Curie Support Line 0800 090 2309*
Marie Curie trained Support Line Officers can provide practical information on everything from managing day-to-day with a terminal illness, to planning for end of life. Our support line can offer emotional support if someone needs a safe space to talk, or some guidance based on their situation. We have a dedicated bereavement service where callers will be paired with a volunteer, who can offer a listening ear and support over six sessions, as well as Check-in and Chat, a service that offers regular calls at a time that suits you. *Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
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