Access to life-changing, compassionate care at the point when time is most precious should be every person’s right.
That is the message from Isabel Hospice as we launch our latest fundraising appeal to ensure every person in eastern Hertfordshire can access specialist palliative care and support when they need it.
Isabel Hospice’s CEO Helen Glenister said: “This year, we are incredibly proud to be celebrating 40 years of caring for local people with a life-limiting condition, and their loved ones. In that time it has been our privilege to look after many, many people, helping to make a real difference to real families, just like yours and mine.
“But for every person who has received our unique care and support over the years, there have been many more who have not been able to benefit from our help, either because they were too fearful of what they thought the word ‘hospice’ meant, or simply because they didn’t know we were here.”
All of Isabel’s care is free of charge to those who need it, but we need to raise more than £7 million every year to guarantee the future of our services. Our latest fundraising appeal comes following a recent amendment to the Health and Care Bill that puts greater emphasis on palliative care within the healthcare system in England, meaning that for the first time it will be on the same footing as other healthcare, such as maternity and dental services.
Helen added: “We passionately believe every single person receiving the news that they have a life-limiting illness should be entitled to access the expert, specialist and compassionate end-of-life care that only a hospice can provide. But too many people are still facing death and dying alone.
“Too many recently diagnosed with a progressive condition are left struggling to adjust to a new way of living without the right support around them. Too many are silently suffering with painful and distressing symptoms that we could help them to manage better. Too many are spending their final days in hospital when it has been their wish to die at home.
“As for their families, no relative should be left to cope alone with the physical and emotional toll of caring for a loved one approaching the end of their life. No one who has recently suffered a bereavement should be left feeling isolated and adrift following the death of someone they love.
“The right care at the right time can have a transformative effect on the lives of people that Isabel Hospice seeks to support. The amendment to the Health and Care Bill is a huge step forward in acknowledging the importance and value of hospice care in preserving the dignity and quality of life of people facing their final months, weeks or days.”
Janet Howe turned to the Hospice after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in June 2021. The 74-year-old from Tewin said: “Immediately after I was given the diagnosis, it was like the lights went out. I was told I had about three months to live and then I disappeared into the [NHS] system and heard nothing for 10 weeks. All I knew was my case was being passed from one team to another and I didn’t understand why.
“It was honestly the worst time of my life. I tried desperately hard to be strong, to think about the future but I didn’t know where to turn. Then out of the blue I decided to ring Isabel Hospice.”
After a home visit from one of Isabel’s specialist nurses, Janet was invited to attend our eight-week Living Well with Isabel wellbeing course at our Hall Grove hub in Welwyn Garden City as well as a course of complementary therapy.
“The Hospice showed me I still had a life to live, I still had something to give and I could create something new even at this stage of my life,” she said. “ It really has been life-changing and I’m so thankful for that.
“The cancer rarely gets a thought these days, it’s not on my mind because other things have replaced it. I’m too busy living my life. I’m looking forward to the spring and making plans for the future. Every day presents an opportunity and I’m determined to seize it.”
You can donate to our appeal today by clicking here. You can read Janet’s full story here.
