Ayrshire Hospice recently received a donation from Largs Probus Club, so the members were pleased to receive a talk from Claire Stuart-Paulin on the work and services they provide. Claire has worked for the Fundraising Team for 10 years and was delighted to announce that their new purpose-built facility in Racecourse Road, Ayr was now complete at a cost of £17m. with the first patients expect later this month.
Claire confirmed that the Hospice will continue to provide comprehensive palliative and end-of-life care to individuals aged 16 and over from across Ayrshire and Arran, as well as their families and carers, ensuring comfort, dignity, and quality of life. The Hospice’s In-Patient Unit offers 24-hour care in a homely environment, focusing on symptom management and emotional support. Each patient is assigned a named nurse and consultant to coordinate personalised care plans and the Unit also serves as a training facility for medical professionals specializing in palliative care. The Community Specialist Palliative Care Nursing Team provides home-based support, collaborating with GPs and district nurses to manage complex symptoms and assist with hospital discharges to ensure patients can remain in their preferred place of care.
Claire advised that the Hospice also provides a Respite and Response Service which offers carers temporary relief by providing up to three hours of care for their loved ones at home. Additionally, it facilitates early discharge from hospitals and responds to patients’ changing conditions, allowing them to stay at home longer. She went on to outline the specialist services the Hospice offers, including a medical team of consultants and doctors specializing in palliative care; physiotherapy, occupational therapy and complementary therapies such as aromatherapy and reflexology; clinical pharmacy services to ensure optimal medication management; Social Work support with practical and emotional needs, such as benefits and care packages available, and counselling and bereavement support. These services are accessed by a referral from a healthcare professional, but individuals can self-refer to the counselling and bereavement support services by contacting the Hospice directly.
The various fund-raising activities used to raise the £25k per day required to run the services were highlighted by Claire including the lottery, gifts in wills, trusts and grants and income through their charity shops, including the one in Largs. She encouraged everyone to participate in the Purple Day for the Hospice to be held on 10th October.
Morrison Sutherland proposed the vote of thanks and complemented Claire for her talk and the Hospice on the vital services they provide. He remarked that no one should die alone, and we should remember that it can happen to any one of us. A collection for the Hospice took place.
Why not join us at our next meeting?
New members are always welcomed at the Club. If you are 50 or over, retired, or nearing retirement, (men only, I’m afraid, sorry ladies) you can attend three meetings as a guest and find out what a relaxed and friendly time we have. That’s plenty of time to decide whether to become a Club member or not. Please check out our programme and email info@largsprobus.org.uk if you wish to attend as a guest, or to enquire about joining.
Largs Probus Club will next meet in the Willowbank Hotel on Wednesday 25th June at 10am for a Coffee Morning with 2 members speaking.