St Leonard’s Hospice have reported an increased demand for its services, as more people living with a life-limiting illness are seeking support.
Over the past year, the number of individuals the charity has cared for has increased by a third. Those accessing help from St Leonard’s wellbeing and outreach team has also risen by 62%.
In response to the increase, the hospice has expanded its community services to try and accommodate the growing need for support.
The expansion includes the addition of drop-ins for people living with non-cancerous illnesses, including heart failure and Parkinson’s disease.
It’s also offering free complementary therapies to help enhance the quality of life for anyone living with a life-limiting illness.
These both follow the introduction of the Sunflower Wellbeing Hub, which launched two years ago, as a weekly drop-in for people to come and share their experiences and get regular support.
Plus, over the past year, St Leonard’s has been running a series of successful Motor Neurone Disease (MND) socials, in partnership with the MNDA York group, to help those affected by the disease.
The hospice has also seen an increase in patients wanting to access its Hospice@Home service, enabling them to pass at home, should they wish.
Last year the team supported 520 local people, providing more than 6,000 hours of care. Its Carer Support Service is also proving vital, with 244 carers accessing this service last year.
St Leonard’s in-patient unit also continues to be in high demand, with admissions increasing by 15%, and bed occupancy averaging 82%.
Anne-Marie Roberts, Director of Clinical Services at St Leonard’s Hospice, said: “This past year we have seen a significant increase in people needing our services, whether they have just been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, are caring for a loved one, or are approaching the end of their lives.
“More people need palliative and end-of-life care than ever before, but too many still struggle to access the hospice support they need. Our ambition is to reach more people with our care so that everyone living with a life-limiting illness, regardless of diagnosis or background, has access to the best possible care at every stage of their journey.
“It is encouraging that the Department for Health and Social Care rightly recognises hospices as an essential part of its 10 Year Plan for NHS England, particularly in shifting care from hospitals into integrated neighbourhood teams. This is why we are committed to building on the vital work we are already doing, alongside partners across our communities.”
As St Leonard’s patient numbers grow, so do its running costs, as all care is provided for free.
Anne-Marie added: “Last year it cost just under £10 million to deliver our care. Only a quarter of our funding comes from the NHS. The rest comes from the incredible generosity of our supporters.
“While we are encouraged by the government’s recognition of hospices in future NHS plans, we hope this leads to a more sustainable funding model. This is essential if we are to continue providing the exceptional care our patients and their families rely on.”
For more information on how to access St Leonard’s support and to see how you can help, visit their website here.
