CHARITY
WE ARE HOSPICE CARE
SINCE OPENING THEIR DOORS 26 YEARS AGO , HEART OF KENT HOSPICE HAS CARED FOR OVER 10,000 PATIENTS WITH TERMINAL ILLNESSES FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY .
Whether at home , in a residential home , or in the Aylesford based Hospice , the team supports patients and their families and carers , not only with the physical and practical needs of living with a terminal illness , but also the psychological , spiritual and social needs too .
“ We help people to live comfortably and with dignity and independence for as long as they need us ,” says Sarah Pugh , chief executive . “ Many people think that a hospice is where someone comes for the last few days of their life . That may have been the case in the past but things have changed significantly over the decades .”
People are generally referred to a hospice in the last year of their lives , although some beneficiaries have been visiting the Outpatient Centre , Magnolia Place , and enjoying their wellbeing therapies for many years .
In fact , of those people who have stayed on the 10-bed ward since January 2017 , 70 per cent did so for help with managing their pain and symptoms before returning home .
At home , patients are supported by one of seven Clinical Nurse Specialists ( CNS ). Petina Williams , who has worked as a CNS for seven years , supports between 60-80 patients and their families in the Allington , Larkfield and West Malling areas . Among her many duties she helps patients come to terms with their diagnoses , gives advice on medication , assists with applying for benefits and suggests other hospice services they may benefit from .
“ I meet with a patient as little or as often as they need , it ’ s entirely their choice ,” says Petina . “ Every patient is unique and I help by making sure we have everything we can in place so that their wishes are carried out .”
While the majority of the 500 + patients are supported in the familiarity and comfort of their own homes , many also visit Heart of Kent Hospice for counselling , rehabilitation , complementary therapy , or simply to socialise with other patients and with volunteers like Maggie Lamb .
Petina Williams
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