Terri Gazi Lead Nurse at City Hospice looks back at 2020, and towards the New Year
As we near the end of 2020 there are mixed feelings about what 2021 may bring. The clinical team are working hard at a busy time of the year. They are seeing our patients in their own homes and continue to offer digital support. Our patient referrals continue to increase, as more people are accessing the services here at City Hospice. The City Hospice team currently care for more than 550 patients in Cardiff.
Our nurses’ line can sometimes be busy. We have a nurse dedicated to the phone line but you may still need to leave an 
answer phone message due to the volume of calls we receive at this time. It is helpful for us if you could just leave a short message including your name and the name of the City Hospice nurse who looks after you or your relative. Naming the City Hospice nurse enables us to answer your query even quicker. If you are unsure of his/her name it is on the yellow card given to you at the first visit. But don’t worry if you are unsure, we will still be able to help you.
PPE is becoming a normal part of our every day lives
PPE is now a normal part of our working day along with the public who have embraced the face mask with a variety of designs and colours. The winter months are bringing new challenges when wearing PPE especially in the rain when the visors are more liable to steam up! We defiantly need some visor wipers!
The staff all miss the patients and relatives who pre covid came into our building for organised groups such as day therapies and bereavement coffee morning. Our counsellors are still seeing people face to face at City Hospice if this is your preference. However, they continue with telephone and digital contact if someone prefers this to attending in person.
Bereavement affects people in different ways, crying, laughing, despair, anger, are to name but a few emotions. Sometimes you really don’t know how you are going to be from one minute to the next let alone how you will be feeling tomorrow. It is important to remember that only you know yourself and what you need in terms of support because only you understand how you are feeling. Sometimes you just need a helping hand to get you there. The counsellors are here at City Hospice can provide free support not just for our patients and relatives, but anyone in Cardiff, Bridgend and areas of RCT, who have recently been bereaved. Please pick up the phone and contact us.
Our patients and their families live with uncertainty
Uncertainty can impact a person’s wellbeing. Our patients and relatives live with uncertainty and I don’t know how they do it. The enormous burden that families have to cope with, there are no words that can describe their anguish. You make us as a team feel so proud and privileged to be thanked for the help we have given. But we often want to thank you for letting us into your amazing families and allowing us to do the job we are all so passionate about. Let’s not forget all those wonderful pets you allow us to stroke and make a fuss of, although unfortunately some seem to not embrace the face mask and gloves!
The nurses, doctors, counsellors, occupational therapist, welfare rights, social worker and admin team are all pulling together to deliver our service to you. While the fundraising team are busy building up funds to ensure we are all here to support the people of Cardiff. There are lots of fun fundraising events on line and a massive thank you to all those people who have taken part and are taking part.
In 2020 we are living in the most challenging times
International Nurses Day
People in society are coping with the most challenging of years. And at one time or another we can all feel anxious given the current situation. As a clinical team we are not immune or protected from this, wearing a uniform does not stop this happening. There are good and bad days for everyone. Shaking off the bad days and moving on is easier said than done. But we thank you for the support we have received in the community. Your messages and acts of kindness have helped us all during the most difficult of times.
On a personal note, my star sign is Libra. The scales – and I wear myself out trying to stay balanced on a daily basis! Just like everyone else there are days when my scales tip right over. I wonder if they will ever be balanced again. I have learnt to accept the bad days and move on from them. Working here at City Hospice there are many more good days. Meeting all the families who are going through so much puts things into perspective.
The staff at City Hospice, work hard to ensure the success of the charity. The team (and some their smallest family members) would like to share these festive photos with you. We wish everyone a safe Christmas and send our best wishes for the New Year.
To donate to City Hospice click here
To set up a fundraiser for City Hospice
