This year, hospices are opening their doors to local MPs as part of Hospice Care Week to share what it’s like to work at a hospice. MPs across the UK are partnering with their local hospice to shadow a variety of roles including nurses, shop volunteers, gardeners or members of the catering team.
Organised by Hospice UK, Hospice Care Week officially runs from 9-15 October, with MPs across the country visiting their local hospice both in the run up to the week and after. This year Hospice Care Week’s ‘We Are Hospice Care’ theme sheds light on the people who make up a hospice, celebrating the breadth, diversity and excellence of the hospice workforce. From clinical staff to bereavement counsellors, kitchen staff to volunteer gardeners, the people who make up a hospice are what makes hospice care so special.
Over 40,000 people work in charitable hospices across the UK. Hospices support more than 300,000 people every year and work across the system to reduce pressure on the NHS and train and support heath and care workers.
Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK says: “It is the wonderful people that work and volunteer in hospices that make hospice care so special, and they often find it to be the most rewarding and satisfying job of their career. We are delighted that many MPs are joining their local hospice team for a day, experiencing first-hand what it is like to work or volunteer in such a vital service. It’s a great opportunity for MPs to hear directly from people who use hospice services, or work and volunteer there, on what they can do to support the sector, and to ensure their constituents can continue to access the best possible care at the end of their lives.”
Dean said, “Shadowing the incredible hospice care workers at Rennie Grove Peace Hospice in Watford has once again been a very special experience. I enjoyed taking part in the physio and art classes with outpatients and volunteers. Witnessing the outstanding and compassionate work that takes place daily, providing unwavering support to patients and their families, is truly humbling. It was also good to learn about the support that staff members are offered following a loss, as they work so closely with patients in their care. I've had the privilege of visiting this remarkable facility on previous occasions, and each time, I'm struck by the dedication and professionalism of the staff team. Their commitment to enhancing the quality of life for those facing life-limiting illnesses is heartwarming. Rennie Grove Peace Hospice plays a vital role in our community, offering comfort, dignity, and a comforting hand to hold during some of life's most challenging moments."
