St David’s Hospice Care Launches Night Shift Appeal for Nurses supporting Patients in Their Own Homes Through the Night
This winter, St David’s Hospice Care, one of the largest providers of hospice-at-home care in the UK, has launched its Night Shift Appeal, aiming to raise £60,000 to pay for a nurse’s night shift every day of the year throughout 2024. The appeal shines a light on the importance of – and the necessity for – nurses who provide hospice care at home for patients through the night at all times of the year. This Christmas, nurses will be forgoing their own Christmas celebrations to make sure patients continue to receive hospice-level palliative care in their own homes and that patients’ families feel supported.
Many patients would prefer to stay at home during their illness, where they feel safest and most comfortable, and the St David’s Care Community Team was designed to meet this need; extending their incredible hospice services to patients wishing to do so. This service is provided 365 days a year but becomes particularly poignant during this time of year when patients can be assured of remaining at home with their families.
Speaking of their experience with the Community team at St David’s Hospice Care, one service user said: “As soon as the nurse arrived at the house, everything felt better. As a family, we felt supported, and we had total faith in the care offered. I was able to get some sleep for the first time in what felt like a long time, reassured that mum was being well looked after. It gave me the rest I needed so I could cope through the days. It meant so much to have someone there who could guide us through such an incredibly difficult time, making sure we did everything right by mum.”
The nurses at St David’s Hospice Care work over 5,000 night shifts a year, providing high-quality care in the homes of patients across Southeast Wales. Working from 10pm to 7am, the nurses at St David’s Hospice Care ensure that patients are safe and comfortable at home, providing valuable reassurance for families that their loved ones are receiving the best care possible. As well as providing crucial medical care, St David’s nurses can also help to facilitate difficult discussions with patients and their families about what the future holds, as well as providing social and emotional support.
Earlier this year, Wayne and Tracey Phillips donated £10,000 to St David’s Hospice Care, who cared for Wayne’s mother Jean, before she passed away in March. In a powerful act of gratitude, the couple is also paying the wages of the nurse who cared for Jean, Faye Russell-Jones, until 2025 – illustrating the profound value the services of St David’s Hospice Care have to patients and their families. To continue providing this vital service, St David’s Hospice Care must equip its nurses with the resources they need to do their jobs effectively and safely. It costs £210 to provide palliative/end-of-life care for a night, £220 to provide a mobile phone to nurses to keep in touch with their colleagues and remain safe while performing their duties, and £45 for weather-suitable clothing.
Emma Saysell, Chief Executive at St David’s Hospice Care, says “Families tell us that without our hospice-at-home services, they feel that they would not have been able to cope. Providing these services to our patients at home is absolutely crucial to both patients and their families, and our nurses work 365 days a year to make what is a difficult and overwhelming time easier for everyone involved. The Night Shift appeal will help St David’s Hospice Care to continue to offer this free service to those who need it most, and make sure that our nurses are properly equipped to deliver the high-quality care everyone deserves.”
St David’s Hospice Care is heavily reliant on donations and voluntary income and is now facing reduced donations and higher running costs in the face of Britain’s cost-of-living crisis. The Night Shift appeal will play a key role in ensuring patients’ end-of-life care can remain in place by meeting the costs of the service. A donation of £10 can pay for a nurse’s night light, a £30 donation can pay for a fleece to help keep our nurses warm and a folding chair, while £210 can pay for a full night of care.
To donate to the Night Shift Appeal, visit: https://stdavidshospicecare.org/donate, and add ‘Night Shift’ as your reason for donating.