BALLARAT Hospice Care is acknowledging anniversaries of staff and volunteers who have provided care, compassion, willingness, skills and time to people at the end of their life.<\/p>\n
Collectively, a group of five staff and one volunteer have delivered over 140 years of service.<\/p>\n
Specialist palliative care nurses, Debbie Hubble, Mandy Martin and Leanne Burns are marking 20 years of service each. Sharon Moss, in the same profession, has reached 25 years.<\/p>\n
Medical director, Dr David Brumley has given 23 years and Kath Connors, a volunteer, has served for 34 years.<\/p>\n
Mrs Moss was a volunteer in 1995 before becoming a specialist palliative care nurse. She was acknowledged at the Ballarat Hospice Care annual general meeting.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love the work we do. We learn every day and it\u2019s an honour to be with patients and their families at one of the hardest times of their life,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you did not love the work, you would not be here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ballarat Hospice Care CEO, Carita Clancy said the anniversaries are a \u201ccelebration of enduring connections.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is something we treasure and don\u2019t take for granted,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving a team with a special calling, who are dedicated, loyal and willing to care for people at the end of their life is what makes our profession so unique.<\/p>\n
\u201cCombine this with a deep knowledge, an extensive specialist skill set and expertise to care for patients, carers and families, and we are positioned well.\u201d<\/p>\n
The impact of COVID-19 has significantly increased demand for specialist palliative care services in the home.<\/p>\n
Pre-COVID-19, Ballarat Hospice Care expected to care for an average of 166 patients in their homes at any given time during 2020.<\/p>\n
This year they are caring for an average of 200 patients; a 20 per cent increase on projections.<\/p>\n
Ms Clancy said it\u2019s been a challenging year on many fronts, but these
\n\u201cenduring connections\u201d in the organisation, amongst area hospitals and with general practitioners are a \u201cspecial advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is through those connections and partnerships that we are better able to meet demand and face the COVID-19 pandemic challenges so that we are there for patients,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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