Meet Andrew, our Outpatient Services Manager
Andrew Haydon talks about his role and supporting both patients and their loved ones facing a life-limiting condition.
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- Andrew Haydon: Outpatient Services Manager
A role built around people
Andrew manages our Outpatient Services, overseeing a multi-disciplinary team that includes physiotherapists, complementary therapists, lymphoedema specialists and outpatient nurses.
Alongside his leadership responsibilities, Andrew continues to work directly with patients, supporting them with symptom control and helping them navigate their hospice journey.
“I manage our fantastic Outpatient Services Team, and other key part of my role focuses on engagement with the wider community that Thames Hospice serves,” he explains.
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, Andrew also takes on additional responsibilities, including serving as the Hospice’s Infection Prevention and Control Lead.
“It’s a very varied role,” he says. “Some days, I’m working clinically with patients, while on others I’m out in the community or focusing on service development.”
Helping people live well
A key focus of outpatient care is supporting people who are still relatively independent, able to visit the Hospice and continue many of their normal daily activities.
“Our role is often to support people through the early stages of their Hospice journey,” Andrew explains. “We help bridge the gap between NHS services and hospice care.”
For Andrew, one of the greatest strengths of our Outpatient Services is the time to really get to know our patients and families.
“We can have conversations, get to know people and understand what matters most to them. That relationship-building is incredibly valuable because it allows us to provide more personalised support.”
Finding a passion for palliative care
Before joining Thames Hospice, Andrew spent seven and a half years working in the NHS across a variety of roles, including Accident & Emergency, oncology and specialist palliative care.
It was during this time that his interest in end-of-life care grew.
“I saw first-hand the difference that palliative care can make to people’s lives,” he says. “Even if you’re only involved in someone’s life for a short period of time, the impact you have can influence how their family experiences bereavement after their death.”
That ability to make a lasting difference continues to motivate him every day.
The power of community
One of the biggest surprises for Andrew after joining Thames Hospice was the scale of the organisation and the incredible support it receives from the local community.
“Having around 380 staff members and approximately 1,000 volunteers is phenomenal,” he says. “It really demonstrates the scale of support required to deliver hospice care and the commitment of the community around us.”
Expanding support for patients and carers
Since joining the Hospice, Andrew has been involved in developing and expanding Outpatient Services, particularly support for carers.
“We recognised how important it is to support carers throughout the entire journey,” he explains. “We’ve added more opportunities and resources and are continuing to look at how we can develop our services further.”
The team is also exploring ways to become even more active out in the community and deliver support beyond the Hospice building.
A wide range of support
Many people are unaware of the breadth of services available through outpatient care. The team offers:
- Symptom control clinics
- Complementary therapy
- Diversional therapy, including arts and crafts activities
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
- Breathlessness support
Diversional therapy, in particular, provides an opportunity for patients to connect with others in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
“Activities can help conversations happen more naturally,” says Andrew. “They create opportunities for connection without pressure.”
Caring for carers
While patients are always at the heart of our care, Andrew is passionate about ensuring carers receive support too.
“When someone is seriously unwell, there’s the patient at the centre, but surrounding them is a circle of carers, family members and loved ones,” he explains.
Outpatient Services provide carers with valuable opportunities to take time for themselves, knowing their loved one is safe and supported. Whether it’s meeting a friend, running errands or simply taking a break, that time can be invaluable.
The Hospice also offers dedicated support specifically for carers, including a weekly carers’ group and access to complementary therapies.
One particularly popular option allows patients and carers to receive complementary therapy together .
“It gives both people an hour to relax and recharge while remaining close to one another,” Andrew says.
Making a difference beyond the patient
Andrew has seen first-hand how supporting carers can positively impact both the patient experience and the bereavement journey that follows.
He recalls recently helping a patient and their spouse complete advance care planning discussions.
“Sadly, the patient died shortly afterwards,” he says. “But because the carer had been involved in those conversations, she felt she understood her husband’s wishes and had been part of the decision-making process.”
For Andrew, this highlights the unique value of hospice care.
“In many healthcare settings, time can be limited. At the Hospice, we’re often able to spend longer exploring concerns, answering questions and helping families understand the situation more fully.”
“It’s about supporting the whole family, not just the patient.”
Make a difference
Our services are free of charge to all those in our community who need vital hospice care but this is only made possible through the charitable support and generosity of our amazing community. We need to raise £39,000 each day to fund our services 365 days a year to the people who need us most.
We’ve never needed you, our wonderful supporters, more than we need you today. Please donate what you can to help keep hospice care available for those in desperate need.
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