Food for Thought

It’s hard to believe but Woodlands Hospice opened its doors 14 years ago this January. The intervening years have been filled with service developments and expansion, culminating in the opening of the long-awaited inpatient unit last Summer. As services and patient numbers increase, so too do the costs of providing these. Woodlands Hospice now cares for over 800 patients and their families each year. The costs of providing this care are considerable and all care is provided FREE OF CHARGE

Contrary to popular belief, Woodlands Hospice is not a part of the NHS, it is an independent registered charity.Whilst the recipient of funding from the three local Primary Care Trusts, Woodlands still have to find a significant proportion of its income through fundraising and donations – a figure of around £680,000 this year. We are very aware during this economic climate times are difficult and we are all watching our outgoings and cutting back where possible and for this reason we really do appreciate the support of our readers and those in the community.

food pic

Woodlands specialised palliative care is very people-oriented.Palliative care offers treatment of the symptoms of an illness when treating the illness itself is no longer possible. In addition to the medical staff delivering investigative procedures, pain management and other symptom control the hospice provides nursing care in the truest sense of the word - the holding of a hand, counselling and consoling, caring words, and emotional support offered to patients and family members alike.

Also central to Woodlands’ care is food and nourishment.Our catering staff witness patients’ up’s and down’s – delight when a patient with little appetite hitherto requests a hearty meal, sadness when a patient with a previously healthy appetite sends back meals barely touched. Variety and choice, comfort food and food which is easy to nibble at – that’s what Woodlands provides.Food really is the sustainer of life.Missing a meal is equivalent to missing a dose of medication – it is crucial that we are able to offer patients the food they want when they want it and sometimes they don’t know they want it until they taste it!

With this in mind for our 14th Anniversary we are giving our readers some ‘Food for Thought’!A donation of £14 would pay for 1 patient’s meal for 4 days or alternatively 4 patient’s meals for 1 day.

You can download a ‘response’ coupon to give a donation of £14 or some other donation amount options.Please help us if you can with a donation!