A message from Liz Searle, Keech Hospice Care’s CEO

Hi,

I wanted to get in touch with you, as a much-valued supporter of Keech Hospice Care, to let you know what our charity is doing during this worrying time to make sure we can continue caring for our seriously ill children and adults, and their families.

I don’t know about you, but this week has felt very surreal. As a nurse of more than 30 years, I have seen a lot in my time caring on the frontline, but I can honestly say – nothing like this.

Our patients are some of the most vulnerable and highly susceptible to the virus. It presents a very real threat to their lives. In the days to come, many more children and adults will need our end-of-life care services. We will not let our community down at this most crucial of times.

Our priority now is the same as our purpose at all times: to care for our patients and support their families when they need us, making the difference when it matters the most. The need for us has never been greater.

Our amazing care teams are continuing to care for children and adults at the end of their lives, both at the hospice itself and out in our communities. I’m so proud of their commitment as they support patients’ families and friends through these extremely difficult times.

Our dedicated nurses remain at the end of our 24-hour advice lines for both child and adult patients, so families can continue to get the best care and support they need, when they need it.

Most of our services rely on funding from our community and supporters. It’s thanks to people like you we’re still here and we’re still caring. The coronavirus outbreak will, of course, have a huge financial impact on us. To protect patients, staff, volunteers and supporters, we have sadly had to postpone, and may even cancel, some of our big fundraising events. Over the coming days and weeks, we promise to keep you updated.

I appreciate you have your own difficulties to overcome at the moment and I hope you’re keeping well. I understand you may be worried about your own health or perhaps loved ones. We’re all in this together and you may be supporting us differently at the moment – it’s all appreciated. I hope, when the time’s right, you’ll be beside us, going above and beyond to help ensure our vital specialist care is there when it’s needed the most.

Please look out for updates on how we’re doing and how you can get involved at www.keech.org.uk, on our Facebook and Twitter pages, and via email.

I know you will join me in thanking our amazing staff and volunteers for continuing to support the most vulnerable at this time. In the meantime, thank you again for your continued support and for helping to make Keech Hospice Care the amazing charity it is – and will continue to be.

Please stay safe.

Liz

Liz Searle
CEO, Keech Hospice Care