Donations Help Buy Equipment for End-Of-Life Care
Pat Coombs (left), team clinical coordinator and equipment facilitator, and Amanda Elmes, equipment assistant
Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, the Pembrokeshire-based charity supporting people living in the final stages of a life-limiting illness, recently appealed for public support to raise money for end-of-life patients to have access to new equipment.
The aim was to raise money for “vital end-of-life equipment for the home setting” and to enhance the care already provided in the community by the Paul Sartori equipment loan team.
A crowdfunder launched in June this year, with the assistance of the Calor Rural Community Fund, hoped to raise money for new mattresses and cushions. Donations from the public, groups, clubs and the Caron Keating Foundation raised just over £5,500. The new equipment will replace some of the older pieces of equipment with modern mattresses and a new range of new cushions.
“These new items will offer enhanced comfort, redistribute the pressure, offer pain relief and increase seating stability for patients supported by our charity,” said Pat Coombs, clinical coordinator and equipment facilitator. “The wellbeing of patients is fundamental, and these mattresses and cushions will offer an increased level of care and comfort for patients at home – which is important and fundamental to what we do.”
The Caron Keating Foundation, which submitted a generous donation of £3,000 towards the project, was pleased to support this campaign. “I am very pleased to say that we are in a position to pay out selected grants and we are thrilled to send you a cheque for £3000 to use towards your most worthwhile project,” said Gloria Hunniford OBE, trustee of the Caron Keating Foundation.
The service provided by the Paul Sartori equipment loan team supports the statutory service providing a rapid short-term loan service to patients meeting the criteria, where sourcing through statutory channels would result in an unacceptable delay. The service relies on public support and grants to replace and purchase any new equipment. A vast range of equipment is available – not only specialist mattresses, but also beds, bathing aids, wheelchairs and commodes.”
