Terri Gazi, Lead Nurse at City Hospice provides her latest update on how Covid-19 is affecting City Hospice
City Hospice continues to work to the best of its ability in current times during this Covid-19 outbreak. A typical day starts with what is called a Covid-19 meeting. This consists of members of the senior clinical team alongside our CEO.
The doctors spend their evenings going through all the latest public health updates and any new scientific data that can improve our current practice. They brief us on all new developments and any changes that we may need to make or add to our existing service.
We also have a roll call of all staff that are in work, identifying any gaps that may need to be filled. If there is a problem then we try to solve it. It is fair to say we have encountered many challenges since the Corona virus outbreak. However positive changes in practice have been made and we hope to come out of this crisis an even stronger team.
Nursing homes have always been important to us
City Hospice has a history of supporting the homes in our Community with end of life care. We also offer teaching sessions to improve knowledge especially in end of life care and symptom control.
We have many patients currently under our care in nursing homes throughout Cardiff. The Coronavirus situation has proved a massive challenge for all our nursing homes with both patients and staff contracting the disease. This has resulted in nursing homes being understaffed in some homes but also sadly their residents losing their lives.
Understandably, the nursing homes have gone into lock down and have discouraged visiting or reduced it to a minimum. We continue to visit our patients in nursing homes and encourage them to accept our visits. We are not just for the patient but also to support the staff at such an emotional time. I feel it is important to highlight this because as a community hospice team we have a duty of care to support this group of patients. We also want to continue to do this. Might I add, I have met some amazing nurses both qualified and unqualified working in these homes, often a forgotten workforce.
The charity’s clinical team here at the Hospice continue to go out visiting patients and also keep in touch via digital apps. The counselling service continues to receive a high volume of referrals. This is not unexpected at such a time of uncertainty and anxiety.
From the beginning of May we will once again join the out of hours GP service for weekends and bank holidays.
This means there will be two clinical nurse specialists on call. One taking calls with the GP service and one visiting patients. I will explain this in more detail nearer the time.
Our Occupational
therapist, Social worker and Welfare rights officer continue to work .
They are help both patients and relatives with a variety of practical, housing and financial problems.
Covid-19 is affecting all of our lives
The current Coronavirus situation continues to dominate normal everyday living with it affecting everyone’s way of life. Unfortunately, some are affected more than others in terms of battling illness and disease. Many people just have to observe current government guidelines. Social distancing, staying at home except for essential journeys such as food shopping and daily exercise for psychological well being.
We understand here at City Hospice this can be hard and a completely different way of living. But just imagine if you know you have not got years ahead of you left, maybe just months or weeks. Imagine if you are caring for someone at home dying, a loved one. It is difficult at the best of times but now it is beyond words to describe. My team and I have met the most amazing patients and families who are living and dying through this crisis.
Take care and stay safe
Terri
FOR HELP AND ADVICE DURING THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE TO OUR URGENT APPEAL
