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Image: Dr Nick Dando on the ward.
For two years now, I've had the privilege of working at Thames Hospice, alongside a remarkable team dedicated to providing exceptional care and support for local families facing a life-limiting illness. I joined Thames Hospice as Medical Director in 2022 after 15 years of working in the hospice sector and I was keen to challenge the still wildly-held misconception that hospice care is just about the last days of life. The reality that I want to celebrate, and share, is far more uplifting.
At Thames Hospice, we believe in creating a safe haven where dignity and respect are paramount for every individual and their loved ones at one of life’s most challenging times. Our purpose extends far beyond treating medical conditions; it's about creating a space where patients can focus on living the time they have left as fully and comfortably as possible.
This philosophy is rooted in the core of the hospice movement, as pioneered by Dame Cicely Saunders. We recognise that a patient's experience extends far beyond physical symptoms, embracing a holistic approach to care. We understand that a patient's experience is multifaceted, encompassing physical pain, emotional distress, spiritual anxieties, and social concerns. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to address these needs, ensuring a compassionate and personalised experience for both patients and their families.
Meeting the evolving needs of our community
Our commitment to inclusivity is central to our philosophy here. We serve a wonderfully diverse community, and we recognise that cultural sensitivity is paramount. We strive to provide care that respects the traditions and beliefs of all backgrounds and are continually adapting clinically and culturally to ensure we represent the whole population and of course the local community that we serve.
The healthcare landscape is constantly changing and includes an aging population requiring more palliative care, young adults with complex needs, and rising cancer diagnoses among younger people. Our strategy for the future focuses on expanding the skills and knowledge of our clinical teams to address these evolving needs. We are dedicated to ensuring our staff are equipped to provide exceptional care for a wider range of patients, regardless of age, diagnosis, or cultural background.
We also understand that everyone's needs and preferences are different. That's why we offer a full spectrum of care options, empowering patients to choose where they receive their care. We give people a choice and choice is essential at the end of life. Patients requiring a more structured care environment can stay with us as an inpatient at our state-of-the-art facility in Bray or we can provide a variety of care and treatment in patients’ own home via our Hospice at Home Service which includes a 24/7 Rapid Response Team and a Virtual Ward.
The Virtual Ward is a novel model and one in which we are all proud of. We have a Consultant-led specialist team of doctors, nurses and paramedics that deliver a specific model of care for approximately 14 days, providing consistent continuity and a higher level of clinical observation that allows us to manage more complex cases in the community.
Additionally, our Outpatient Services help patients manage and adapt to the challenges of living with a life-limiting condition through a range of activities and therapies. For some it is a social lifeline, significantly improving mental health.
Looking back to look forwards…
Approximately two years after our facility at Bray opened its doors in the midst of a global pandemic, I joined alongside a new leadership team including a new CEO and Director of Nursing. We focused on the challenges arising from that unprecedented period including a fatigued workforce, rising living costs, and the need to adapt to a post-pandemic world with a growing elderly population, more complex patient needs, and evolving cancer care. Nearly a year on from that we embarked on a clinical services review, reconfiguring to ensure we are best positioned to serve our community in the years to come. The hospice cannot do this alone and collaborative partnership working with colleagues in community, hospital and voluntary sectors is essential in the delivery of a seamless service which keeps the patient at the heart of care.
Today, August 2024, as I reflect on my second anniversary here at the Hospice, we remain dedicated to continuous improvement. We are exploring ways to ensure we can offer our counselling and bereavement support to more patients and families. I'm keen to extend our reach through the Virtual Ward and that will mean identifying and supporting people acutely who might otherwise be admitted to hospital. We want to offer people choices, including alternatives to hospital. Admission avoidance or early discharge is good for patients, for hospitals and for the wider health community as well as helping us achieve our mission to care for more people. We also need to hear and learn from the lived experience of patients and families to ensure we are delivering the service they require.
I cannot tell you how immensely proud I am to be part of this remarkable team. Witnessing first-hand the compassion and dedication they bring to every patient and their family, is a daily inspiration. This year we will launch a refreshed three-year strategy which has evolved to meet the needs of our local community and addresses the clinical and financial challenges we face. I look forward to sharing this exciting next chapter with you in due course.
As a round up and further dispelling the typical hospice myth, we have a fantastic café open to everyone with beautiful lakeside views! I’d encourage you to visit and experience ‘our haven’ for yourself.
by Dr Nick Dando, Medical Director
and Deputy CEO