DELIGHTED patient Patricia Dallow saw her dream to play bingo once more come true, thanks to the expert teamwork and care of Birmingham Hospice’s clinical staff.
The strong-minded 73-year-old had been told by doctors she would be bed bound for the rest of her life due to a variety of palliative conditions, including end stage heart failure, which left her in hospital for a lengthy period
Following her return home, Patricia, who also has lung disease, was advised she must remain in bed because physical activity put too much strain on her body.
Robertson.
However, the coordinated support of Clinical Nursing Specialist (CNS) Kara Volante, Physiotherapist Andrew Robertson and Occupational Therapist Angela Deffley has helped her to regain vital independence.
This culminated in a specially organised trip to BJ’s Bingo by the hospice, where she took part in her favourite hobby for the first time in nearly a year.
To ensure the visit was a success, they coordinated with outside agencies, including Patricia’s carers, the oxygen therapy service Baywater Healthcare and respiratory CNS teams at UHB.
The hospice’s Personal Health Budget (PHB) team also contacted BJ’s, who provided a free lunch for Patricia.
“It’s the marvellous people from Birmingham Hospice who believed in me and supported me,” said a delighted Patricia.
“I never thought I would play bingo again. This is my first outing since I came out of hospital and it feels like I’ve never been gone, like I’m back in the world.
“Thank god for people who give time and show genuine care, help and support, which they have all given to me.”
The hospice has a multidisciplinary approach to ensure everyone under our care receives the best treatment possible. After Patricia had been referred to the hospice, she was supported at home by Kara, who then brought Andrew and Angela on board.
Thanks to their advice and the use of a hoist, they were able to help Patricia to achieve her goal. Following a safety assessment by Andrew, she is now able to sit in a chair with the aid of her care team each day.
“I felt devastated because in my head I was still the same person,” said Patricia after being told she would be bed bound.
“I was always on the go, so to be told that your heart and lungs aren’t operating strongly enough for you to live life as normal was a shock.
“Now I feel like someone believed in me and has taken the time to help me and give me my life back.”
The hospice has many different teams including the Community Team, Wellbeing, Therapies, Inpatient Unit (IPU) and Personal Health Budget (PHB) to name a few, all of which coordinate closely to assist people under our care.
Kara added: “It shows that by communicating and working with the Therapies, PHB and other teams, we can make people’s wishes come true.”
