Louth United Charities pay visit to hospice

Most recently, trustees awarded funding towards portable clinical equipment used by the Andy’s outreach nursing team during home visits, including a Vital Signs monitor, a handheld oxygen saturation monitor and an electronic thermometer.

They were then invited in to the hospice to personally see what difference the equipment makes.

After their visit, the trustees, Flora Bennett and Judy Bell, were very impressed by the level and quality of care and services provided. They stated: “None of us quite understand when and if we ourselves could be in need of such provision and how grateful we would be to have it available in our county.”

This specialist equipment enables nurses and care staff to safely assess, monitor and respond to children’s clinical needs whilst providing care in community settings and family homes, helping to reduce barriers to accessing specialist hospice support closer to home.

Currently, six children living within the Louth area, together with their parents and siblings, directly benefit from the service, with referrals expected to increase as awareness of the outreach service grows within rural communities.

Andy’s Hospice at Home service provides a number of different services in the child’s home. This includes respite, which provides parents and carers valuable time to rest, recharge or focus on other family responsibilities, as well as supporting symptom management and end of life care when required. Alongside this, children and families may also receive, complementary therapies, music therapy, sensory and creative play opportunities, outings and emotional support tailored to each child’s individual needs.

Visits can also include activities such as trips to parks, beaches, museums and animal sanctuaries, helping children and families create precious memories whilst maintaining important relationships with hospice staff.

The equipment funded by Louth United Charities will remain in ongoing use across the outreach service, supporting babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions.

Andy’s Children’s Hospice sincerely thanked the trustees of Louth United Charities for their continued kindness, support and commitment to local children and families.