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Status
Received: on time
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Income
£19.1M
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Spending
£19.5M
Public benefits
We provide supportive care, at no cost, for patients suffering from life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses, and also for their carers and families. This may include relief from pain and other distressing symptoms, through medication and therapies, as well as improved social, psychological and spiritual wellbeing of the patients. Patients can
be cared for in a hospice environment or in their own homes. A support system is in place to help carers and other family members cope during the patient’s illness, and in their own bereavement. Respite care is provided in hospice or in the home. Families are able to stay with children at our Children’s Hospice, giving them precious time with loved ones, or time for themselves which helps with the grieving process and increases their ability to cope. Many of the services we provide result in the patient staying out of hospital and being cared for in a more appropriate environment. This means that the stress and time associated with hospital visits is reduced, as patients are cared for in a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere, whether in Hospice or at home, and respite care is available to carers, who can spend time away from the patient to care for other siblings or just do some shopping, knowing that Hospice staff are there to look after their loved one. Many patients find that the ability to spend their last days at home is a blessing and eases the pain. Our research and training programmes improve the understanding of those who care for other patients and carers with illnesses we deal with, such as cancer, motor neurone disease and dementia, as well as the expertise of health professionals in their day to day work with patients. Our services are commissioned by Health Boards and Trusts throughout Northern Ireland. Individual referrals for our services come from District Nurses, General Practitioners and Hospitals. Statistics are provided to Trusts of patients cared for. Our facilities and services are regulated on an ongoing basis by the Regulatory and Quality Improvement Authority to ensure they are up to standard. We also conduct regular patient, carer and staff surveys to monitor our services. Annual reports are given to the Health Boards and Trusts, as well as our own members. Research papers are published in relevant medical journals, and lectures are provided to local, national and international universities and professional bodies. The use of drugs for symptom control, and dealing with patients suffering from illnesses such as cancer and dementia can be difficult. Care plans for each patient are drawn up and risk assessments made on an individual and service level, to ensure risks are minimised. Where problems are identified with drugs or other treatments, these are dealt with by expert clinicians who can make alternative arrangements for care to be given. The services provided, benefit patients, their carers and families, giving symptom control and support, and making coping with illness that bit easier. Respite care gives people a chance to recharge tired bodies and minds. The training and research provides expertise for clinicians, who can pass that on to their patients. In the wider health field, the ability to use Hospice resources frees up Health Service resources to be used for the benefit of other patients. There is an indirect private benefit to donors who may be able to claim tax back on gift-aided donations, or who are given publicity as a result of raising money for the Hospice. This is considered incidental and necessary if Hospice is to raise the funds to pay for its services.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
We have an adult inpatient unit comprising 17 beds at Somerton Road. The beds are used to provide end of life and respite care to patients suffering from life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer. The unit also provides day care facilities and social work and chaplaincy help for patients and their families. Our specialist
palliative care nurses and hospice at home nurses also provide care in patient's own homes. Our children's service has a ten-bedded inpatient unit at Horizon House. This provides for both children with complex needs to enjoy respite care, but family accommodation enables parents and siblings to stay with them. Again many of these children have life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses. Our education department has a course syllabus used by staff and outside allied healthcare professionals. Training for doctors is also provided, with doctors coming to work with us from Health Trusts, for six month periods at a time. Research is also carried out in collaboration with other hospices and educational establishments such as the University of Ulster.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of education
- The advancement of health or the saving of lives
- The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage
Who the charity helps
- Carers
- Children (5-13 year olds)
- General public
- Men
- Older people
- Parents
- Preschool (0-5 year olds)
- Women
- Youth (14-25 year olds)
How the charity works
- Education/training
- Medical/health/sickness
- Research/evaluation
