THE CHIEF Executive Officer of Primrose Hospice has issued a rallying call to residents to get behind the charity’s Big Appeal to ensure people with life-limiting illnesses get the palliative care they deserve, especially when they wish to die at home.
Helen Garfield told The Standard: “Having worked with carers for many years I know how important it is to support them, especially when they face losing a loved one.
“For many people, being able to die at home is an important decision but the practicalities of caring 24/7 can be too much for many carers who end up exhausted and unable to cope.
“Our Primrose at Home service supports people to remain at home if they wish to and allows the carers to rest and sleep at night.
“It is so important for carers to feel they have been able to comply with the wishes of their loved one as they only get one chance to get it right.
“We help them achieve this goal.”
Her comments come after the charity received a letter praising the Primrose at Home service which gives those wanting to die in their own homes all the support they need in the final weeks of their lives.
The letter from a family which had been helped by the service read: “Please pass on my heartfelt thanks to the Primrose at Home Team for spending nights with mum during the last few weeks of her life.
“This helped us to look after her at home until she died, which was so important to mum and us.
“Although I was very reluctant to use this service to start with, when I did, they gave me such confidence that mum was in good hands, that I was able to have a good night’s sleep to enable me to carry on the next day.
“They were all so caring, professional and lovely. They do a truly wonderful job and it deserves praise.
“Without them some people could not cope with loved ones at home.
“So thanks to them all.”
The Big Appeal, which we helped launch on our front page last week, is aimed at raising £100,000 to safeguard the services the Primrose offers for years to come.
Mrs Garfield added: “We really need the public to get behind our appeal to ensure we can keep up with the ever increasing demands on our resources.”
It costs £1.6million-a-year for the Primrose to provide its services. Around £1.2million comes from donations and fund-raisers and £300,000 comes from the health service, leaving a £100,000 gap to be filled.
Because £100,000 pays for 80 days’ care, the campaign will run for 80 days and has an ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ theme. It is hoped people will organise fund-raising events on that theme.
Those wanting to donate can do so online at www.primrosehospice.org/bigappeal or by texting PHBA01 £12, £26 or £57 to 70070.
Alternatively, residents can call 01527 889796 and donate over the phone by card or send a cheque, made payable to ‘Primrose Hospice’ to: BIG Appeal, Primrose Hospice, St. Godwalds Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B60 3BW. Those donating should include their name and address.
