Fears for Scottish hospice
Relatives of terminally ill patients met today to demonstrate over proposed changes in care at Scotland's largest hospice.
Hospice workers joined the families in Clydebank amid fears that 30 beds for the elderly are to go at St Margaret's.
They have launched a petition calling on NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, who fund the beds, not to withdraw its cash.
The health board said it is looking at replacing the beds with other services for frail, elderly people but discussions were ongoing with the hospice.
Hospice chairman Professor Leo Martin said he fears that if the changes go ahead it will be resigned to a nursing home.
Prof Martin said: "These are hospice beds for the elderly with complex medical and nursing needs.
"What the health board is proposing is to downgrade St Margaret of Scotland Hospice to a nursing home.
"Over five decades we have provided first-class care for people who are dying including acute frail elderly patients.
"Under the health board's proposals funding would be massively cut and our hardworking fundraisers would face an impossible strain."
St Margaret's opened in Clydebank in 1950 and currently has 60 beds - 30 for palliative care and 30 for frail, elderly people.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said the proposed changes follow a 2004 review that found that 30 fewer "continuing care" beds would be needed in the west of the city.
A spokeswoman said the board has been working with the hospice to look at alternative uses for the beds.
"We are committed to working with the hospice to try to agree a plan which would enable them to continue to provide a range of services in line with future needs," the spokeswoman said.
Marjorie McCance, whose terminally ill mother is cared for at St Margaret's, said: "What the hospice provides is an essential service that provides holistic care for the patient and emotional support for the family.
"It is fundamental that this hospice is saved."
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Posted by: Roddy Smith, World Wide on 9:59pm Fri 12 Oct 07
It's with a very heavy heart that I am writing comment to this article in the Glasgow Herald with regards to St Margaret’s Hospice in Clydebank having the funding for its geriatric care withdrawn.
I feel very strongly about this situation however also feel quite powerless to be able to do anything constructive to help other than express my own extreme gratitude to the Hospice.
I am sure that there are many testaments to St Margaret’s and the wonderful dedicated staff there however I could not let things go without at least adding my own.
My Mother has been a patient in St Margaret’s for the past almost four years after suffering a major stroke and being left for dead by the NHS, literally.
In the four years that she has been in St Margaret’s neither Mum nor the family have wanted for anything.
All Mum's needs emotionally, physically and spiritually have been looked after by the staff who are totally dedicated to their work and vocation in life.
If Mum has had a bad day then it's very common for the staff to call in ''after hours'' or between shifts just to check that she is OK.
One of the nurse’s children who visit the patients regularly actually makes presents for the patients, which I may add are gratefully accepted.
My Mother is just one of many patients in St Margaret’s who all receive the same individual care, respect and attention from all staff.
Every single staff member from Sister Rita down to Susan the hostess are there because of their unique selfless interest and care for other peoples well being.
I salute, and say many, many thanks to them all, even kitchen staff who prepared meals for us out of hours and served with graciousness.
In August of this year sadly my Father joined Mum in St Margaret’s however Dad passed away in St Margaret’s a few weeks ago.
His life and death in the hospice were treated with love, reverence and respect by everyone.
My brother and I could not have wanted for better and have nothing but praise and admiration for again all the staff.
Again we were very humbled by the number of staff that came along to his funeral, even on their days off.
Their attitude to patients and their families is very humbling and very much an oasis in this selfish cut throat world that we now live in.
I am more that sure that this would not have happened other than at St Margaret’s.
My father was a Doctor and Mother a nurse, both founder members of the health service in this country.
Their principals of good honest service with compassion should be upheld and St Margaret’s allowed to continue providing their very unique blend of love, care, respect and goodness.
Unfortunately I have to work on an international basis and again without the help and care of St Margaret’s and the staff there I would not have been able to function in my professional capacity.
Of this I am sure.
I know of no other unit that I can appear at un- announced at 03; 00 in the morning after just arriving in the country and be able to spend an hour just holding my Mum or Dad’s hand.
Death is an institution that no one can escape from and as a surviving relative I can assure you that every single bit of love, care and goodness that St Margaret’s and its staff provided on this occasion has been graciously accepted and acknowledged.
To look into the eyes of your father and see no response, to look for his pulse and feel nothing, to realise that he is going quietly cold and that his life has just come to an abrupt end is something that no one wants to appreciate on their own. The staff of St Margaret’s were there for us when we both as individuals needed more than anything else some comfort in our own lifes.
The management of the NHS should be using St Margaret’s and its staff as a role model for other units and instead of cutting funding they would be better placed to realise that when the time comes for themselves and or their relatives and friends to enter into the final stages of their lives that they will be grateful for their investment in geriatric care that they have made.
Please, I implore everyone to put their weight behind Sister Rita and the staff at St Margaret’s.
Give them as much help as you possible can to continue this extremely unique and valuable service to society.
I am also sure that I speak for many, many grateful people and their families within the West End of Glasgow.
Kindest regards
Roddy Smith
It's with a very heavy heart that I am writing comment to this article in the Glasgow Herald with regards to St Margaret’s Hospice in Clydebank having the funding for its geriatric care withdrawn.
I feel very strongly about this situation however also feel quite powerless to be able to do anything constructive to help other than express my own extreme gratitude to the Hospice.
I am sure that there are many testaments to St Margaret’s and the wonderful dedicated staff there however I could not let things go without at least adding my own.
My Mother has been a patient in St Margaret’s for the past almost four years after suffering a major stroke and being left for dead by the NHS, literally.
In the four years that she has been in St Margaret’s neither Mum nor the family have wanted for anything.
All Mum's needs emotionally, physically and spiritually have been looked after by the staff who are totally dedicated to their work and vocation in life.
If Mum has had a bad day then it's very common for the staff to call in ''after hours'' or between shifts just to check that she is OK.
One of the nurse’s children who visit the patients regularly actually makes presents for the patients, which I may add are gratefully accepted.
My Mother is just one of many patients in St Margaret’s who all receive the same individual care, respect and attention from all staff.
Every single staff member from Sister Rita down to Susan the hostess are there because of their unique selfless interest and care for other peoples well being.
I salute, and say many, many thanks to them all, even kitchen staff who prepared meals for us out of hours and served with graciousness.
In August of this year sadly my Father joined Mum in St Margaret’s however Dad passed away in St Margaret’s a few weeks ago.
His life and death in the hospice were treated with love, reverence and respect by everyone.
My brother and I could not have wanted for better and have nothing but praise and admiration for again all the staff.
Again we were very humbled by the number of staff that came along to his funeral, even on their days off.
Their attitude to patients and their families is very humbling and very much an oasis in this selfish cut throat world that we now live in.
I am more that sure that this would not have happened other than at St Margaret’s.
My father was a Doctor and Mother a nurse, both founder members of the health service in this country.
Their principals of good honest service with compassion should be upheld and St Margaret’s allowed to continue providing their very unique blend of love, care, respect and goodness.
Unfortunately I have to work on an international basis and again without the help and care of St Margaret’s and the staff there I would not have been able to function in my professional capacity.
Of this I am sure.
I know of no other unit that I can appear at un- announced at 03; 00 in the morning after just arriving in the country and be able to spend an hour just holding my Mum or Dad’s hand.
Death is an institution that no one can escape from and as a surviving relative I can assure you that every single bit of love, care and goodness that St Margaret’s and its staff provided on this occasion has been graciously accepted and acknowledged.
To look into the eyes of your father and see no response, to look for his pulse and feel nothing, to realise that he is going quietly cold and that his life has just come to an abrupt end is something that no one wants to appreciate on their own. The staff of St Margaret’s were there for us when we both as individuals needed more than anything else some comfort in our own lifes.
The management of the NHS should be using St Margaret’s and its staff as a role model for other units and instead of cutting funding they would be better placed to realise that when the time comes for themselves and or their relatives and friends to enter into the final stages of their lives that they will be grateful for their investment in geriatric care that they have made.
Please, I implore everyone to put their weight behind Sister Rita and the staff at St Margaret’s.
Give them as much help as you possible can to continue this extremely unique and valuable service to society.
I am also sure that I speak for many, many grateful people and their families within the West End of Glasgow.
Kindest regards
Roddy Smith
Posted by: Susan Steven, Scotland on 11:46pm Fri 12 Oct 07
It sounds like a very special place.
It sounds like a very special place.
Posted by: Shona Owens, Glasgow on 10:11am Sat 13 Oct 07
I have worked for the NHS since 1983 and have seen quite a few changes. I am angry and disgusted at the proposed withdrawal of funding from the Health Board for St Margarets Hospice. Why is Care of the Elderly the first target.
My mums last 2 years where spent at St Margarets after suffering a massive stroke where not only was my mum cared for, but us as a family too.
Sadly my mum passed away at the end of August but the love, care and commitment given to us will always be with us.
I know for a fact that had my mum not been in St Margarets we would not have had these 2 years with her.
Care of the Elderly seems to be a consistent target for the Health Board to wash their hands of.
Our elders are to be treated with care and respect, a generation of workers who most likely lived and/or served through the 2nd World War. If this trend continues Heaven help us when and if we need to be cared for.
I am appealing for everyone to protest this decision and sign a petition. No one ever appreciates what hospices are like until we have to experience it.
I have worked for the NHS since 1983 and have seen quite a few changes. I am angry and disgusted at the proposed withdrawal of funding from the Health Board for St Margarets Hospice. Why is Care of the Elderly the first target.
My mums last 2 years where spent at St Margarets after suffering a massive stroke where not only was my mum cared for, but us as a family too.
Sadly my mum passed away at the end of August but the love, care and commitment given to us will always be with us.
I know for a fact that had my mum not been in St Margarets we would not have had these 2 years with her.
Care of the Elderly seems to be a consistent target for the Health Board to wash their hands of.
Our elders are to be treated with care and respect, a generation of workers who most likely lived and/or served through the 2nd World War. If this trend continues Heaven help us when and if we need to be cared for.
I am appealing for everyone to protest this decision and sign a petition. No one ever appreciates what hospices are like until we have to experience it.
Posted by: donald smith, Glasgow west end on 3:33pm Sun 14 Oct 07
Following on from the very moving letter written by my brother Roddy Smith, I would also like to express my deep concerns and apprehension about the budget cuts aligned to St Margaret's Hospice. It is a sad indictment of the current management of the Health Board that funding is now taking precedence over patient care.
While no amount of money would equate to the care, compassion and dedication shown by the staff of St Margaret's Hospice, a dissemination - no annihilation - of this vital funding is nothing short of criminal. After all, these are REAL people , to both their families and to the staff and not a mere 'patient' or STATISTIC as they appear to be to the health board.
This has been said many times already and will continue to be said until the Health board take notice; LOSING ST MARGARETS WARD WITHIN THE HOSPICE IS FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS WORTHWHILE CAMPAIGN BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY WHO KNOWS WHAT'S AROUND THE CORNER FOR US ALL AND WHAT CARE WE WILL NEED - INCLUDING THOSE INDESTRUCTABLE FIGURES OF THE HEALTH BOARD
Following on from the very moving letter written by my brother Roddy Smith, I would also like to express my deep concerns and apprehension about the budget cuts aligned to St Margaret's Hospice. It is a sad indictment of the current management of the Health Board that funding is now taking precedence over patient care.
While no amount of money would equate to the care, compassion and dedication shown by the staff of St Margaret's Hospice, a dissemination - no annihilation - of this vital funding is nothing short of criminal. After all, these are REAL people , to both their families and to the staff and not a mere 'patient' or STATISTIC as they appear to be to the health board.
This has been said many times already and will continue to be said until the Health board take notice; LOSING ST MARGARETS WARD WITHIN THE HOSPICE IS FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS WORTHWHILE CAMPAIGN BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY WHO KNOWS WHAT'S AROUND THE CORNER FOR US ALL AND WHAT CARE WE WILL NEED - INCLUDING THOSE INDESTRUCTABLE FIGURES OF THE HEALTH BOARD
Posted by: Janice Konstantinidis on 2:14am Fri 19 Oct 07
I would like to support the campaign to stop the budget cuts to St Margaret's Hospice.
Dying is a hard thing for us all, and for some of us, it is very very hard. Hospice trained staff such as those at St Margaret's excel in what they do; both for the terminally ill, the frail and the dying. It is highly specialised work and it is work that is needed if we are to preserve the dignity of those who need it.
Death should not occur in an ordinary hospital ward if it can be avoided. Death should come to us quietly and with little fear, and it is this that those who work in the hospice with the dying can do best.
To be old and frail, and to have little or no ability to do as one pleased is a tragic thing to endure, but I do believe that it is made bearable if one is among people who can show empathy and love.
I am a gerontologist by profession, and I have seen many deaths. The deaths I have been able to walk away from with some sense of peace were those that occurred at home with family, or those in a hospice.
One of my clients aged 84 once said to me "Janice, old age has nothing to recommend it, except sometimes people are kind, thank you for your kindness"
These words have stayed with me all my working life, and I have tried to be as kind as I can. However, I do need to be able to work with like minded people and a compassionate hospice is where people need to be when they are dying.
As a health care professional of 40 years, I implore you all to reconsider the buget cuts and ot closure of this hospice.
I heard of the pending closure of St Margaret's at a meeting I attended earlier this week in Los Angelus and I felt compelled to write, as the closure of any place like this is always a great loss to any community. St Margaret's is well known to many of us here and has a reputation for excellence.
Yours faithfully.
Janice Konstantinidis
Gerontologist California.
I would like to support the campaign to stop the budget cuts to St Margaret's Hospice.
Dying is a hard thing for us all, and for some of us, it is very very hard. Hospice trained staff such as those at St Margaret's excel in what they do; both for the terminally ill, the frail and the dying. It is highly specialised work and it is work that is needed if we are to preserve the dignity of those who need it.
Death should not occur in an ordinary hospital ward if it can be avoided. Death should come to us quietly and with little fear, and it is this that those who work in the hospice with the dying can do best.
To be old and frail, and to have little or no ability to do as one pleased is a tragic thing to endure, but I do believe that it is made bearable if one is among people who can show empathy and love.
I am a gerontologist by profession, and I have seen many deaths. The deaths I have been able to walk away from with some sense of peace were those that occurred at home with family, or those in a hospice.
One of my clients aged 84 once said to me "Janice, old age has nothing to recommend it, except sometimes people are kind, thank you for your kindness"
These words have stayed with me all my working life, and I have tried to be as kind as I can. However, I do need to be able to work with like minded people and a compassionate hospice is where people need to be when they are dying.
As a health care professional of 40 years, I implore you all to reconsider the buget cuts and ot closure of this hospice.
I heard of the pending closure of St Margaret's at a meeting I attended earlier this week in Los Angelus and I felt compelled to write, as the closure of any place like this is always a great loss to any community. St Margaret's is well known to many of us here and has a reputation for excellence.
Yours faithfully.
Janice Konstantinidis
Gerontologist California.
Posted by: Leesome, Glasgow on 4:23pm Sun 11 Nov 07
The Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board, a group of people some who are councillors, deciding that a private limited health care company can give better value than the that all ready provided. Envisaged a run down old building, not what the reality is in fact, having visited the web-site, a show piece building with a new build on-route for completion, and lots of information, very professional one must add. This shift of funds' smacks of Doctor as Derek Trotter (health care performer) handing out jobs to their mates in the private sector. Much better eh! when doctor is in control? WELL NOT FOR OUR WALLETS, OR FOR THE WELL BEING OF SCOTLAND'S SONS AND DAUGHTERS... NO, NO, NO: Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board I say veto to any funds running into the greasy palms of yet more private sub-contractors. Who must at all costs make a profit, for that profit then never to return directly to the patient. That Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board cannot make clear sound financial sense and at worse it is blatant mismanagement or corruption?
Sign the petition: http://www.smh.org.u
k/N_Petition.htm
The Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board, a group of people some who are councillors, deciding that a private limited health care company can give better value than the that all ready provided. Envisaged a run down old building, not what the reality is in fact, having visited the web-site, a show piece building with a new build on-route for completion, and lots of information, very professional one must add. This shift of funds' smacks of Doctor as Derek Trotter (health care performer) handing out jobs to their mates in the private sector. Much better eh! when doctor is in control? WELL NOT FOR OUR WALLETS, OR FOR THE WELL BEING OF SCOTLAND'S SONS AND DAUGHTERS... NO, NO, NO: Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board I say veto to any funds running into the greasy palms of yet more private sub-contractors. Who must at all costs make a profit, for that profit then never to return directly to the patient. That Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board cannot make clear sound financial sense and at worse it is blatant mismanagement or corruption?
Sign the petition: http://www.smh.org.u
k/N_Petition.htm
Posted by: sharon cook, fortwilliam on 12:14pm Thu 29 Nov 07
i think this is a digrace my mother marion miller is in there and the staff there could not do any more if they tried dose the goverment not relise this .why not cut back on art or this that no one needs i think the goverment needs to sort there prioritys we need this place leave it as it is really angry[bold]bold[/bold]
i think this is a digrace my mother marion miller is in there and the staff there could not do any more if they tried dose the goverment not relise this .why not cut back on art or this that no one needs i think the goverment needs to sort there prioritys we need this place leave it as it is really angry
Posted by: TOM CUNNINGHAM, glasgow on 12:37pm Wed 19 Dec 07
five decades of unique dedicated care threatend by a rash unadvised decision from the powers of the NHS.
I have had experience[/bold] with both the hospice and other large Glasgow hospitals. No other facility can come close to the level of care provided by St Margarets Hospice. There is one thing that you will never find in a Glasgow hospital and that is dignity in death. Well St Margrets provides just this..
All the staff are dedicated and commited to creating an island of tranquility to all patients just when it is most needed.
There is no break out of MRSA here. every patient is respected and it is a one on one care level.
Clydebank and its surounding area has suffered more than its fair share of suffering. in a survey a few years back the town came second for the whole of the uk in levels of deaths from, heart disease and cancers. To say that the beds are no longer needed is an absolute nonsense and is stated simply again to help with budgets and not care levels.
Please i urge you all to sign the petition.
for info go to st margarets hospice clydebank web page.
thanks tom cunningham[/italic][/italic] [/italic] [/italic] [/italic] [/italic] [/bold] [/quote] [/quote]
five decades of unique dedicated care threatend by a rash unadvised decision from the powers of the NHS.
I have had experience with both the hospice and other large Glasgow hospitals. No other facility can come close to the level of care provided by St Margarets Hospice. There is one thing that you will never find in a Glasgow hospital and that is dignity in death. Well St Margrets provides just this..
All the staff are dedicated and commited to creating an island of tranquility to all patients just when it is most needed.
There is no break out of MRSA here. every patient is respected and it is a one on one care level.
Clydebank and its surounding area has suffered more than its fair share of suffering. in a survey a few years back the town came second for the whole of the uk in levels of deaths from, heart disease and cancers. To say that the beds are no longer needed is an absolute nonsense and is stated simply again to help with budgets and not care levels.
Please i urge you all to sign the petition.
for info go to st margarets hospice clydebank web page.
thanks tom cunningham
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