Sue Ryder Care - Manorlands Hospice is based at Oxenhope, Keighley and is one of a network of 13 Sue Ryder Care centres in the UK. Each year our specialist palliative health care team cares for approximately 640 people suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses in Keighley, Bradford, Ilkley, Airedale, Calderdale, Craven and the dales.
Our services based at Manorlands Hospice include a 16 bed in-patient unit where we provide end of life care, symptom control and respite care. We also have a day therapy unit where patients visit us for one day per week and access the expertise of the hospice's health care team and our complementary therapy team whilst also enjoying the pleasant social atmosphere and undertaking relaxing activities such as art and music.
Community focus
While many people may know about the support and care available at Sue Ryder Care - Manorlands Hospice some are unaware that the same level of care is taken directly to patients and their families within their own homes or other community settings such as care homes. Choice as to where a patient is cared for is becoming a priority in the provision of palliative care and the services of Manorlands Community Specialist Palliative Care Team is an important part of our service.There are currently 5 nurses and a consultant in the team who cover a population of approximately 166,000. The team continue to be busy and in the year 2009, 409 new patients were seen and a total of 1589 visits were made.Although based at Manorlands the team all work in close collaboration with local doctors, district nurses and other health care professionals. Highly skilled in symptom management for those patients with complex needs, they also offer psychological support to patients, families and other carers. They also ensure that other community health and social services are involved as necessary and importantly that an individual is receiving the financial support to which they are entitled.
Holistic approach
Manorlands takes a holistic approach to its services and strives to ensure that the family and friends of the patient are cared for whilst they are in our care. This care continues, if required, if their loved one should pass away, thanks to our team of specialist bereavement counsellors and social workers.There is a common myth about hospices being dark upsetting places full of fear and misery. This is certainly not the case. Manorlands, is a happy place set in a stunning woodland estate and inside the hospice there is a feeling of hope, comfort and contentment and the wonderful loving care of our healthcare team.Manorlands Hospice relies on voluntary contributions for the majority of its income and never charges patients for any of the care they receive. The hospice will cost £2.0 million to run in 2010. Over £1.1 million of this needs to be raised from the local community.
Patient case study: Chris Gibson
Chris Gibson was only 27 years of age, when in May 2006, he was diagnosed as having a brain tumour. Sadly it was inoperable and treatment was not possible. Determined to put his Masters Degree in internet technology to good use he continued working as a trainee computer analyst and lived life as normal as possible, including a holiday in Japan.
By July 2007 Chris was unable to continue and had to leave his employment, returning home to live with his mum and dad, Sue and Richard. In August, Chris's health took a sudden turn for the worse when he suffered a seizure while on holiday at Whitby. Further medical investigations confirmed that Chris was very ill, he had a rare form of cancer and the prognosis was bleak.
It was at this time that Sue, his mum, asked if anything could be found to give Chris "a sense of purpose, something to focus on." Fortunately the nurse Sue was talking to knew of the facilities and support available at Manorlands. Thankfully for both Chris and Sue Ryder Care, Chris was introduced to the day therapy unit where it was quickly realised that he could help the fundraising team, using his IT skills. It was not long before Chris was attending Manorlands day therapy unit on a Thursday as a patient and on a Monday as a volunteer in the fundraising section. "It made such a difference to him" continued Sue. "It was wonderful to hear him say, on a Sunday evening, 'Work again tomorrow mum'".
Although this arrangement helped Chris and his parents, who acknowledge their son "had a purpose in life again", it also helped Manorlands because Chris created the web site for the Mascot Gold Cup Race.
Sue and Richard talk with great affection of the benefits the whole family received from Sue Ryder Care. Sue describes it as "an umbrella of care" She explains "even now when I go to the hospice I am still greeted with a cuddle and when Chris was there I would here the words "come on let's have a talk". Richard and Sue agree "it is not only the medical care that makes the place special, but the advice and counselling, the whole package, all wrapped up in warmth and love." Sue is keen to stress "it is incredible to think Chris was involved with Manorlands for only about four months and yet we always felt we were among friends, in fact we still do."
Towards the end of Chris's life he chose to go to Sue Ryder Care - Manorlands Hospice as an in-patient. "His face just lit up when he found out there was a place for him" explains Sue. Both mum and dad agree "It was the right decision. The level of care given to Chris was unbelievable and we were helped so much to understand what was happening and what to expect. At every stage the doctors and nurses kept us informed. In addition his friends and relatives could visit at any time and were all made to feel so welcome."
Finally, on 31 March 2008, Sue and Richard received an early morning phone call suggesting they go to the hospice quickly. Again Sue explains "We arrived about 5am and there was a nurse at Chris's bedside, holding his hand. His brother and sister-in-law arrived and about 7.30am, we were offered tea and toast for breakfast, in Chris's room. It was just like a family breakfast, we were all together. About 8.30am Chris gave a lovely sigh, almost one of contentment and finally left us. It is no exaggeration to say that his ending was so beautiful." The whole family agree that everyone at Sue Ryder Care - Manorlands Hospice contributed significantly to Chris's life and peaceful ending.
It's your donations that enable us to provide such special care - whether it be for four weeks, four months or four years - we couldn't do it without you. Thank you for your continued support.
To view a pdf of the case study click here.
To offer your support to Manorlands hospice visit their website, click on the donate tab and mention Manorlands in the "What prompted you to give today?" box
This content is provided by Sue Ryder Care working in partnership with Sovereign Health Care. Sue Ryder Care - Manorlands Hospice is based at Oxenhope, Keighley and is one of a network of 13 Sue Ryder Care centres in the UK. Each year the specialist palliative health care team cares for approximately 640 people suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses in Keighley, Bradford, Ilkley, Airedale, Calderdale, Craven and the dales. Sovereign Health Care is proud to support Manorlands Hospice through donations from The Sovereign Health Care Charitable Trust. If you would like to add your own support you can visit their site www.suerydercare.org.