UMi Community Fund Supports Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care to Enhance Quality of Life for Patients

Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care received a £4,000 grant to support core costs, enabling them to provide crucial care to adults with advanced or terminal illnesses. This funding was vital during the pandemic, helping the hospice adapt and maintain high-quality care.

The grant ensured that more patients could be cared for than in previous years, despite fears about healthcare settings during COVID-19. It covered essential operational costs, allowing the hospice to redistribute staff and continue providing comprehensive care across its In-Patient Unit, Living Well service, and Care at Home service.

During the pandemic, Phyllis Tuckwell faced numerous challenges but overcame them with resilience. They adapted their referral system to prioritise hospital admissions, created isolation rooms, and transitioned patient and carer group sessions to video calls. The Care at Home service expanded to support more patients, with extended hours for the Advice & Referral Team and increased weekend support.

Catherine’s husband, Robert, was cared for at home by the Community team during the pandemic. Catherine shared, “The HCAH team were fantastic. They visited us morning, afternoon, and evening. Knowing they could still visit helped a lot. The care was still the same despite the PPE.” She appreciated the practical advice and emotional support provided by the team, which prepared her for Robert’s end-of-life care.

The funding also ensured that services remained free of charge, crucial during uncertain financial times. Patient feedback highlights the hospice’s positive impact: “You are all so kind, caring, and compassionate,” and “You brought a ray of sunshine into what would otherwise have been a very dark place.”

The £4,000 grant from UMi was instrumental in allowing Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care to continue its vital work, providing compassionate and dignified care to patients and their families during an exceptionally challenging period.

For more information about Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care, click here.