Why was the service set up?
When someone is living with a life-limiting illness they can often feel a loss of control and self worth. Carers can often feel the strain more than anyone. Better Together aims to improve patients and their carer’s social situation rather than their medical condition.
What can people expect from the day service?
The care environment for the programme will be the day therapy suite, known as The Haven. Staff will include a social worker, occupational therapist, complementary therapist, healthcare assistant and a specialist nurse.
As this is a pilot service the advance nurse practitioner will review the day centre on a monthly basis.
How many patients to you expect to benefit from Better Together?
During the six month pilot, 20 patients should be cared for. Better Together will be complimenting the existing day therapy, and complementary therapy services.
Who can access the Prince of the Wales Hospice?
The Prince of Wales Hospice serves Eastern Wakefield or the area known as the ‘Five Towns’. The area contains an adult population of approximately 175,000.
What’s the story behind the name Better Together?
The name Better Together was devised by a member of the fundraising team after a competition was held among hospice staff to find the most appropriate name for the service. Better Together was chosen as it best describes the aim of the service, which is to address the social isolation that often comes with living, or caring for someone, with a life-limiting illness.
What do the staff say?
Advance nurse practitioner, Janet Millard:
“Working in collaboration with other healthcare providers and social care teams can only enhance the patient and carer’s experience and help them to come to terms with their life-limiting illness.”
Better Together is due to commence in October.
Visit the website for more information about the Prince of Wales Hospice and its services.
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