AS we learn to adapt to normal living, on charity is reflecting on what has been the most difficult 18 months and how they have been able to get through it.

Over the last 18 month Teesside Hospice has faced great uncertainty.

The work the charity has been doing has continued throughout the pandemic and this is all down to the determination of the staff and volunteers.

This has enabled them to stay open and provide specialist palliative care to local people that have needed them most in this very difficult time.

David Smith, Chief Executive of Teesside Hospice said: “How we’ve survived, is down to one simple thing really, it’s the team here. The staff, the volunteers, have been absolutely phenomenal.

“They’ve been so flexible, so up for doing things differently. They’ve been so resilient. They’re the ones that have kept the hospice going, that have kept the hospice open when it’s been needed it’s very most.

"We talk a lot about systems working in Healthcare, and Covid has really brought this to the fore. The outset of the pandemic we wanted to look at what resources do we have at Teesside Hospice that could benefit not just us, but the wider community around us.

“So within our in-patient unit, where we’ve got the only specialist beds in the whole of South Tees, we worked with James Cook to make sure we could bring people in from the hospital as quickly as possible when they were under pressure.

“We were able to help people in Stockton who haven’t been able to access the Hospice because they’ve been closed for part of this period, and we’ve had our specialist clinical team here being able to offer telephone support, outreach support to GP’s and other professionals out in the community.”

Teesside Hospice provides care to patients, families and friends who need them most. They have a specialist in-patient unit which enables them to help monitor symptoms from patient’s diseases.

The hospice has also continued to provide care to people who are struggling with the loss of a loved one.

Teesside Hospice have also continued care within the community through the outreach nurses, and the Wellbeing Centre.

The Wellbeing Centre has provided virtual services for people living at home with a terminal illness.

This has enabled people to stay connect with the hospice’s team so they receive the support they need, whether this be symptom management, psychological, spiritual or social support.

Mr Smith added: “The funding we’ve received over the last 18 months has been amazing, and without your support we wouldn’t be able to continue to provide this care.

“We will continue to support the people within our community, during and after the pandemic.”