A TEAM of ‘real-life angels’ are helping provide patients comfort during the worst of times as they help make end-of-life care as painless and easy as possible.
The team for the South West Yorkshire Partnership Trust of the NHS don’t have an enviable task, as they work with terminal patients to ensure that their final moments are as happy as possible.
Yet, despite their work, they approach each day with passion and pride, as they offer their sympathetic services to all who need it.
Coun Jake Lodge, of the Worsbrough ward, had nothing but good experiences with the team when his mother, Lisa Lodge, died at 50 years old last year after a battle with lung cancer.
He told the Chronicle: “The end-of-life team can only be described as real-life angels, they come and provide dignity and comfort to those who will soon pass away and offer the same comfort to the families that surround their patients.
“In 2023, my mum received care from this team as she lost her battle with lung cancer it was an unexpected end to a battle that we thought she was winning and consequently we hadn’t planned for this.
“However, upon first being referred to this team we were contacted straight away and visited to understand more about the support my mum and our wider family could access at the worst times of our lives.
“The support offered was incredible, from being a shoulder to cry on to giving us a care bag with essentials that my mum and us might need.
“They can be contacted day or night and are with you straight away, helping to ease the pain of their patient.
“The comfort and dignity provided by the team runs right to the very end and beyond, as they help prepare and like they did for my mum, for their final journey.
“Their job isn’t enviable and can only be done by a certain kind of person they are angels to me.”
Jake has nominated the team as Hospital Heroes for this year’s Proud of Barnsley awards.
Gill Stansfield, director of services at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘‘I’m proud of the Community specialist palliative care team in Barnsley for being nominated for a Proud of Barnsley 2024 award. This devoted team provides vital support for people with advanced progressive illnesses and their families. Every member of the team is committed to helping people to have the best possible quality of life. In alignment with our Trust values, we believe in treating people with compassion and respect, ensuring they are at the heart of the care they receive. This commitment is exemplified by our Community specialist palliative care team in Barnsley’’.
