Preparations under way as KEMP Hospice awaits go-ahead to reopen

The Kidderminster hospice was forced to close its doors in March in response to the outbreak and has since been supporting its patients remotely - delivering meals to homes and conducting counselling sessions over the phone or by video call.

Chief executive Heidi Hawkins said the charity is now working to ensure work spaces at its seven shops, warehouse and hospice building in Mason Road are safe and ready to reopen.

"We continue to operate within our temporary circumstances, while now beginning to consider all our responsibilities for when measures are relaxed further and we begin to bring our teams back to work,” said Heidi.

The Kidderminster hospice was forced to close its doors in March in response to the outbreak

“These considerations include organising safe working spaces - ensuring we have plenty of soap and alcohol gel, PPE and things like converting our hospice staircases to one way, not to mention the mammoth task of all these considerations for our seven shops and warehouse to provide confidence for our staff, volunteers and customers.

“While in the early stages of all of this planning, we know how quickly the last 6 to 7 weeks have gone, so we want to ensure we’re ready to reopen and reboot our operations bit by bit as responsibly as possible.”

A total of 103 lunches have been delivered and 120 calls have been made in relation to day hospice patients in the last fortnight.

The past two weeks have also seen a further 95 care home residents that KEMP supports either have their choices for care at the end of life documented for the first time, or be given the opportunity to update them.

Heidi added: “As you can imagine these conversations are not straightforward, and especially not over the phone or by video call and Caitlyn and Jenny in our team have worked tirelessly over the past six weeks to support the homes and their residents carry out this sensitive but vital work.”

The hospice has been supporting its patients remotely during the pandemic - delivering meals and conducting counselling sessions over the phone or by video call

Meanwhile, the finance and welfare support team have made 64 calls on behalf of 28 clients. Those queries ranged from giving guidance to a mother dealing with her daughter’s funeral costs, to arranging phone bills to be sent in a large print format to a visually impaired client.

The bereavement team provided 49 counselling sessions by phone and 19 by video to adults, children and young people over the past two weeks.

There were also 17 first assessments for new clients, 58 check-in support calls and 12 new referrals received.

Additionally, this week has seen the team provide Zoom training to 25 educators and school leads to help them in supporting their students and teachers with Covid-19 related bereavements.

KEMP is reminding its communities that, while its doors are closed, its work continues. Call the hospice on 01562 756000 for information on support services.