There has been a 54% increase in patients from Great Yarmouth and Waveney benefiting from St Elizabeth Hospice beds in the last year (from April 2013 to March 2014).
The figure was released on the second anniversary of the official opening of the first and only Hospice inpatient beds in Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
St Elizabeth Hospice has been providing three beds since April 2012 at All Hallows Hospital, Ditchingham near Bungay.
They form part of a range of St Elizabeth Hospice’s specialist palliative care services in Great Yarmouth and Waveney for patients living life with a progressive illness, such as heart failure, kidney disease or cancer.
The Hospice’s chief executive Jane Petit said it was paramount local people were aware that a range of Hospice services were available for those in need and encouraged more patients and families to get in touch.
She said: “These new figures show there is a clear need for St Elizabeth Hospice’s expert care in Great Yarmouth and Waveney. We have seen a marked increase in admissions to our Inpatient Unit at All Hallows Hospital as well as more patients accessing our day centres.
“We have also seen more patients in the 50-70 age range and a wider range of illnesses. And our flexible approach means we’re able to adjust to the changing needs of the local population and the demand for specialist Hospice care which we know will grow further in the coming years.
“We have had positive feedback from local people and healthcare professionals and we will continue to help more patients and their families or carers.”
The St Elizabeth Hospice Unit at All Hallows Hospital provides short-stay intensive care for pain relief, symptom control or end of life care. Care is tailored to the individual, with counselling, music therapy, complementary therapy, physiotherapy, art therapy, occupational therapy and practical support offered.
St Elizabeth Hospice also provides a 24-hour specialist palliative care advice line OneCall and day services in Ditchingham, Gorleston and Beccles as well as specialist support at the Louise Hamilton Centre, Gorleston.
St Elizabeth Hospice’s services are provided free of charge as part of the charity’s strategy to meet the need for specialist palliative care in Great Yarmouth and Waveney and enable patients to access services closer to home.
To request St Elizabeth Hospice’s help, talk to your GP or community nurse, visit the Services section of our website or call OneCall on 0800 56 70 111.
St Elizabeth Hospice received funding from Health East CCG towards provision of two of the beds.
So far St Elizabeth Hospice has invested £2.2m in Hospice care for the people of Great Yarmouth and Waveney and is looking forward to ongoing support from the community.