THERE is a little-known house on the hill at Ipswich with a lovely view over Queens Park.
Although modest, it plays a crucial role in the final days of many of its residents.
People come and go quite often; some stay for only a few days, others longer. Many in Ipswich would be unaware of its function and its vital role in healthcare.
Ipswich Hospice Care is a community organisation providing quality health care and bereavement support to the West Moreton area.
Hospice care is specifically for individuals with a terminal illness nearing the end of their life, focusing on comfort and quality of life, when curative treatment is no longer pursued.
As a community organisation, the centre includes both volunteers and paid staff. Volunteers assist alongside registered and assistant nurses to support patient care at the facility.
Most would think that this valuable service would be supported fully by the Government, but only 50 per cent is paid this way and they have to rely on legacies gifts, fundraising, donations and health funds to supply the rest.
We all know how costly things can be these days – especially health care.
Visiting palliative care physicians offer a range of services and are available on-call to support nursing teams.
More information is available in the guest information booklet online or at the information desk, 24/7.
My wife passed away about a year ago. In the brief time she was at Ipswich Hospice Care, the family could see the care and attention afforded to her and especially to the family after she had passed away that Wednesday night.
They allowed us to stay as long as we liked, and while it’s still raw to recall these events, but time has not dimmed their impact.
In the post recently, a small card arrived from Cassandra and Lauren, the bereavement support team, and the Ipswich Hospice Care nursing staff, at Hilda’s House.
It said: “Our thoughts are with you at this anniversary, a time of reflection.”
This reminder led me to write these thoughts – donations to Ipswich Hospice Care are welcomed.
