“It’s an amazing privilege to help to improve a person’s quality of life and help them be a part of special family moments, making memories when these moments matter most,” explained Ross Dale, who has worked as a paramedic for St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice, in Great Yarmouth and Waveney, since November 2021.
A role which sees Ross provide a reactive service to patients living with life-limiting illness, and their families, throughout the communities of Great Yarmouth and Waveney, working alongside the hospice’s community nursing team to make patients and their families as comfortable as possible.
Since launching in April 2019, more than 3,900 patients and their families in Great Yarmouth and Waveney have been supported by the free specialist palliative care provided by the joint partnership of St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice and East Coast Community Healthcare (ECCH).
Typically living with conditions such as cancer, heart failure, chronic lung diseases – such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – and neurological disorders, these patients have received free care through the partnership’s varied, specialist palliative care provision available at Beccles Hospital, in the community and through the service’s 24-hour advice line, OneCall.
“I find patients and families are comforted by the reactivity of my role, which can bring reassurance during a very difficult time of their lives,” said Ross, who lives in Norwich and has previously worked for the ambulance service in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area.
“I think my role offers assurance to those under the hospice’s care that their complex needs can be managed quickly and effectively in the community, avoiding hospital admission so people can be supported in their homes, and that their care wishes can be met as they desire.
“We help create tailored care plans to meet the needs and wishes of each patient and their family, supporting them at the end of their life and make their passing as comfortable as possible.
“I really love the diversity of my job and the opportunity it gives to meet interesting characters every day. Due to the diversity, there is no such thing as a typical day.
“Every person I meet has different wishes or needs from the service and their values differ, meaning that each person needs to have a tailored approach. This challenge is what motivates me every day to ensure we provide the best possible, bespoke support to everyone under our care.
“We are here to help you and your family during what can be life’s most uncertain times. Please do get in touch to learn more about St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice and the services we provide.”
For more information about the partnership’s services in Great Yarmouth and Waveney visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/how-we-can-help/hospice-care/great-yarmouth_and-waveney.
To learn more about the Community Care Unit service visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/how-we-can-help/hospice-care/community-care-unit/.
To contact the 24-hour specialist palliative care advice line, OneCall, call 0800 567 0111.