The new Health and Wellbeing Hub at the hospice in Little Hulton offers free advice to patients from across Greater Manchester and their carers, as well as supporting health professionals looking for information.
Anyone needing support is welcome to drop in to the Hub on Wednesday afternoons, where a registered nurse will be available, along with staff giving guidance on issues such as where to find online information, creative therapies and guided relaxation.
The hospice also plans to take the Hub out into other locations around Greater Manchester in the coming months to ensure as many patients as possible can access the information available.
Rachel McMillan, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Clinical Services at St Ann’s, explained:
“We have a new clinical strategy at the hospice, and one of our biggest aims is to ensure we’re able to provide even more support for patients, carers and their loved ones at the time and place that works best for them.
“This is more vital than ever against the backdrop of an ever-stretched NHS and as a charity working alongside nine of the local CCGs, we’re always seeking new ways to ensure patients can receive the right kind of palliative and end of life care to meet their needs.
“Contrary to what many people think, hospice care isn’t just about supporting people at the very end of their life. That’s just one important part of what we do. We also provide important health and social care to local people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses right through from the time of diagnosis, and improving the quality of their lives is our number one priority.
“We’re hoping this new Hub will help us do just that, and we’re looking forward to meeting lots of local patients who come along to take advantage of the free support on offer.”
The Hub will also include regular, structured education sessions on topics such as advice on breathlessness, signposting regarding finances and filling out forms, spiritual support and fatigue management.
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