Hospice Of Hope: Sisters Of St Margaret's Are Helping Their Elderly Patients To Live Their Lives To The Fullest

By Maggie Mallon, Daily Herald

February 15, 2008

Scotland

The much-loved St Margaret's of Scotland Hospice have built a new wing to care for their older patients. 

The specially-trained staff look after 30 fragile elderly people with complex medical problems at Scotland's first hospice.

Run by the Sisters of Charity in Clydebank, they also care for 30 adults with terminal illnesses such as cancer and final-stage motor neuron disease

The staff help ease patients' physical suffering with palliative care and are also trained how to counsel people at this difficult and sensitive time.

It can be hard going for both patients and their families but the team at St Margaret's are well equipped to help them make the most of their lives.

Sister Rita Dawson, the hospice's chief executive, said: "We make sure the quality of the rest of the patient's life is as high as possible. Our patients are living life to the full. A hospice is not simply somewhere to die, it's about living."

The hospice, which has been caring for people since 1970, is the first to benefit from the Changing Lives Campaign after winning a £1500 grant to buy curtains and bedcovers for the new wing.

Sister Rita said: "We are absolutely delighted to be supported by the Changing Lives Campaign in this way. It is a real support to the service."

Resident Rose Haggerty, 60, from Glasgow, shares one of the comfortable rooms in the new £4.6million wing with Mary Mellis, 84, also from Glasgow.

"I used to work here as an auxiliary nurse," said Rose. "So I knew I would be in good hands. I'll praise the staff to the highest. They are all so kind and caring - from the nurses to the auxiliaries. You can't fault them. They do work of a very high standard. People are so nice - you never feel lonely."

Mary said: "It's a wonderful place - the staff are so attentive and skilled at making you comfortable. Everyone is so friendly.

"They are very good about including your family and making it easy for them to pop in for a visit."

Rose and Mary chose to share a room together in the new centre for older adults, TheMary Aikenhead Centre, named after the founder of the Sisters of Charity. "We wouldn't be without each other," said Rose. And Mary added: "It's lovely to have a close friend. We never feel lonely."

They sit near each other in their airy room, equipped with personal television screens that can be moved over their beds or in front of their armchairs. They spend their time chatting but they also have the chance to take part in occupational therapy, if they are feeling up to it.

Elizabeth Thomas, director of clinical services, said: "We try to keep people comfortable with palliative care but we also want them to be as independent as possible, so we have complementary therapies such as massage, reiki and physiotherapy."

The hospice staff have put a lot of thought into fighting the boredom, loneliness and depression that can affect a person at the end of their life when they can no longer live in their own home.

The Aikenhead Centre has a homely, welcoming atmosphere. It's decorated in warm tones with soft carpeting, large sofas and old pictures of Glasgow on the walls. Residents can eat together in the dining room and gather in communal sitting rooms to watch TV or chat.

Sister Rita said: "We want their time with us to be as near to being at home as possible. We have tried to create warm, comfortable and pleasant surroundings.

"Occupational therapy aims to stimulate the patients' interest. There are activities where they can make things such as Easter Bonnets and cards. There is an art therapist who helps them with arts and crafts."

The hospice are currently raising money to cover the cost of The Mary Aikenhead Centre, as well as constantly fundraising to meet half of their £3.6million yearly running costs - the NHS funds the rest.

Volunteer Mrs Edwina Bradley, who at 94 is still going strong as personal assistant to the chief executive, points to the demand for places at St Margaret's as testimony to their success.

She added: "This is a marvellous place. We like to think we are helping people."

lf you want to donate money to the hospice you can send it to St Margaret's of Scotland Hospice, East Barns Street, Clydebank, G81 1EG, or donate online at www.smh.org.uk.

HOW TO APPLY

The Changing Lives campaign is run by the Daily Record and McIntosh Foods, makers of great traditional Scottish meals, such as macaroni & cheese, mince & tatties, microwavable porridge, haggis, neeps & tatties, Scottish stovies and steak pie & tatties.

The campaign, in its second year, aims to support and back the kind-hearted people who selflessly work in the community to improve the lives of others.

To apply, all you need to do is simply fill in the bursary application, which is printed on this page or download it at www.strathmorefoods.com When it's completed, send your application to the address given on the form. Our panel will assess each application and award funds to those that are successful.

We welcome all applications, no matter how small - and you can apply for the funding on behalf of someone or a group you feel are deserving. You will receive notice by letter on whetheryou've been successful within 21 days of receipt of your application.

'We ensure the quality of a patient's life is high. A hospice is not simply somewhere to die, it's about living ...'

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