Duncan Willoughby on "Care that liberates".
Thirteen of us braved a wet evening to hear an expertly
delivered and interest packed talk
from Sue Ryder fund raiser Duncan Willoughby.
His presentation followed very
appropriate introductory readings and prayers by David Webber.
Sue Ryder (as it is now called) was founded nationally
in 1953. It opened at
Although Sue
Ryder is often thought of in the context of end of life care, its activities
extend widely over such aspects as pain and symptom control, treatment at home,
religious (there is a daily service) and emotional needs,
occupational therapy, and
short duration visits to the Court as well as in patient care.
Sue Ryder’s involvement with individuals often extends over years.
It is also expanding into: a
Hospice at Home Service, a blood transfusion service, and more complicated care
like clinical treatments for, say, stomach cancer.
All of this demands highly skilled staff which must be paid
for, for example a specialist in palliative care.
But there are also many openings for
volunteers, for example as ward
friends, gardeners and fund raising (see
below for a contact number).
How is it paid for? The
NHS pays £1 million, approximately 50%, of the costs of
Very many thanks to
David Long