STEPPING UP FOR OUR COMMUNITY

These are difficult and uncertain times. The only way we will get through them is by looking after our families, neighbours, and our wider community.

Every day Dorothy House provides palliative and end of life care to anyone who needs it, when they need it most. When someone in our community reaches the end of life, we have one chance to come together to support them with the best care we can provide.

This critical work becomes even more important at a time like this: there are more patients to look after and we must make sure each one receives the highest quality care and compassionate support.

The COVID-19 is already having a huge impact on our community. We know its going to get worse before it gets better. Our mission is to increase the support we can offer our community, but we need your help to make this possible.

Stepping up for our community

We are providing an increased level of at-home care to those patients and families who cannot safely visit us. Our care has, and will always, be predominantly in our community. We are also offering remote care to those patients who are so vulnerable they need to self-isolate. That means picking up the phone and using video technology to maintain vital contact.

More inpatients than ever before

In an unprecedented move to stand side-by-side with the NHS we are opening eight new inpatient beds at our Winsley base. By caring for patients who would otherwise be in hospital, we are helping take some pressure off hospitals - who are already doing so much to protect us and those we love. I have included our plans for this.

As you may know, the pandemic means we have shut all our shops and had to stop many fundraising activities. At a time when we need to do more of what we do best, our funds from the local community that support over 70% of our care are fast drying up and the impact could be devastating.

If you can donate, either as a one-off or regular payment, you will be helping us to support our community when they need us most.

We are also asking for volunteer support, by working together, we can take better care of those who need our help now more than ever. Either remotely - online and on the phone - or in person, dropping off supplies or checking in on people. Please contact us if that is something you can support by visiting www.dorothyhouse.org.uk.

There is no hesitation on our part. We have seen the need and we are acting now to extend our services, support the NHS and protect the most vulnerable in our community.

This is a defining moment in our country's history. Already, so many are going above and beyond to care for those around them.

My team are stepping up and we all hope you will do the same.

Thank you, and stay safe.

Emma Frampton

Medical Director