Collaboration and engagement with colleagues in different organisations has provided an opportunity for networking and for considering ways to work more closely together in order to provide a wider range of services and activities to benefit patients, their families and carers. Working closely in partnership with other health, social and voluntary organisations enables St Cuthbert's Hospice to offer a wider range of services to address and benefit the needs of patients, families and carer(s) to whom we serve.
Welfare Rights
If you or a family member is affected by cancer or another serious illness that can have a dramatic effect not only on their health but also may affect their financial status.
For everyone diagnosed with the illness it has a dramatic effect on their health, whether that’s just during treatment or for the rest of their life. For many it affects them emotionally and puts a strain on their relationships. And for those who work, it often robs them of something that is an integral part of who they are and their main source of income – their job.
This doesn’t have to be the case. Research shows that many people who are working when they are diagnosed with cancer or other serious illness would prefer to remain in work, or return to their job, during or after treatment.
Often people who have a serious illness can be entitled to some benefits and not even realise it. This money can be used to pay for the additional costs that they might be facing”.
A quick benefit check can be carried out to see if you are entitled to any additional benefits and can help you to claim then. This can be sorted out in a few minutes and if you are missing out we’ll let you know what you need to do and how we can help you further.
Macmillan Working with Cancer (WwC) is a service offering help and advice about work for everyone affected by cancer and other serious illnesses. It can provide support with everything from information about sick pay and holiday pay through to talking to managers about the help someone might need to get back to, or remain in, work.
The Hospice is working in partnership with leading cancer charity Macmillan and Durham County Council to make sure that everyone has the best support possible if they or a family member are affected by cancer or other serious illness.
If you want to make a confidential appointment or require support from a Macmillan Welfare Rights Officer at St Cuthbert’s Hospice please talk to Brigid Ivory, Social Worker on 0191 386 1170 or phone Durham County Council’s Macmillan advice line on 03000 268988.
Heart Failure Rehabilitation Programme
Aim
- Help people with heart failure to live longer and achieve a better quality of life.
- Help people with unresponsive heart failure and other malignant presentations of coronary heart disease receive appropriate palliative care support.
- To provide a multi-professional team approach.
- Patient-focused services which empower patients to take an active role in their care.
Objective
To provide access and continuity of palliative led approach for patients and carers living with heart failure.
Purpose
The programme is designed to enable patients and carer(s) a means to develop their skills and abilities in self management of Heart Failure. These skills will be provided by education sessions in exercise, disease symptoms, medication, coping strategies and nutrition.
The team will comprise of specialist nurses in Heart Failure and specialist nurses in Palliative care, Physiotherapist – who will ensure the individual receives the optimum beneficial exercises but provided with in a group setting for support
Outcome
The programme is provided over a 16 week programme. This includes a pre and post assessment of physical ability, psychological needs and anxieties using validated assessment tools.
The programme aims to provide a supportive environment for carers to learn, as well as to discuss their needs and concerns.
The goal would be for patients and carers to continue with aspects of the programme, for example exercises and relaxation techniques once they complete the programme, giving them more confidence and control over their disease management.
Patients are referred to the programme by the specialist nurses and cardiologist. They must be at a point in their disease management where they are controlled by their medication and have been stable for several weeks.
Referrals to this service will be accepted from the Heart Nurse Clinical Specialists.
Respiratory Rehabilitation Programme
Aim
- Encourage a self management based programme for patients and carer(s) for those living with life-limiting respiratory diseases.
- To provide a specialist multi-professional team approach.
- Provide access to palliative services.
- Improve quality of life.
Objective
To provide access and continuity of palliative led approach for patients and carer(s) living with life-limiting respiratory disease.
Purpose
The programme is designed to enable patients and carer(s) a means to develop their skills and abilities in self management of respiratory diseases. These skills will be provided by education sessions in exercise, disease symptoms, medication, coping strategies and nutrition.
The team will comprise of specialist nurses in Respiratory conditions and specialist nurses in Palliative care, Physiotherapist – who will ensure the individual receives the optimum beneficial exercises but provided with in a group setting for support.
Outcome
The programme is provided over a 10 week programme. This includes a pre and post assessment of physical ability, psychological needs and anxieties using validated assessment tools.
The programme aims to provide a supportive environment for carer(s) to learn, as well as to discuss their needs and concerns.
The goal would be for patients and carer(s) to continue with aspects of the programme, for example exercises and relaxation techniques once they complete the programme, giving them more confidence and control over their disease management.
Patients are referred to the service by the Respiratory nurses and Chest Physicians. They will assess patients to ensure they are currently stable on their medication and unable to attend pulmonary rehab as they do not meet their criteria.
Referrals to this Group will be made from the Respiratory Clinical Nurse Specialists
Health and Wellbeing sessions
We hold the contract for Health and Wellbeing sessions (a Macmillan initiative) in North Durham, which includes Durham, Chester le Street, Derwentside and Easington. Wellbeing clinics/sessions are offered by a wide range of health and social care providers including Third Sector organisations and the local council. We are supported by the North Durham Clinical Commissioning Group who provides the funding to support the health and wellbeing initiatives. The Clinical Manager chairs the Health and Wellbeing Meetings in the North of the County.
The sessions aim to help patients manage the transition between treatment and survivorship by providing information, support and advice for cancer patients and carers on practical, emotional, social and financial issues. They also offer patients an opportunity to share experiences with each other.
These sessions are held in a variety of different venues across North Durham and a list of venues for future events will be available on our website.
