Hospice Care at Home Appeal
We believe that everyone in our community should have access to the very best end of life care. Please help us to provide more hospice care in the comfort of home.
Home is where the heart is
When facing an end of life prognosis, time is precious and every moment matters. We want local people to have as much choice as possible about where they die.
That’s why Sobell House is bringing hospice care home.
Our Home Hospice Care team are helping local people who are in their last few weeks of life to be cared for and supported to die at home, if this is their wish, while also relieving pressures on the NHS. From changing a patient’s pyjamas and gently brushing their hair, to ensuring the most appropriate equipment and medications are in use, the patient, their needs and their wishes are at the centre of everything that we do.
We know that caring for a dying loved one at home can be physically and emotionally challenging. Our team of experienced carers provide support to patients and let families have time to be loved ones again in those precious final days.
Please help us to support more local families and ensure that the precious time that they have left is spent how they want it to be – together and in the place they call home.
What does hospice care at home look like?
Launched in April 2022, in a partnership between Sobell House Hospice Charity, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support, and Social Finance, the Home Hospice Care service aims for more people to have personalised care, including being cared for in their own homes at the end of their life, if that is their preference, helping to avoid unplanned hospital days.
Home Hospice Care Team
A team of 37 experienced patient support workers who provide hands-on care to patients dying at home. There may be one or two carers going into a patient’s home up to four times a day, helping them with essential tasks such as washing, dressing and taking medicine.
Rapid Response
Our Hospital Rapid Response team work in Oxfordshire hospitals to help with rapid discharge for patients who are dying and are desperate to be home. Our Community Rapid Response works in the community to offer a same-day response to patients in crisis with symptoms or care, to try to support them staying at home if that is their wish.
Palliative Care Hub
Our central ‘hub’ acts as a nerve centre for the whole service – coordinating and managing care. It enables us to be more flexible and efficient in dealing with patient enquiries. This means that the right care can be arranged more quickly and effectively.
How your support is making a difference
11.2
The average number of days spent back at home instead of hospital, thanks to our Home Hospice Care service
5,835
The number of patient days in hospital we’ve already saved. This frees up bed space and begins to relieve pressure on the NHS.
399
The number of patients, so far, who we’ve enabled to stay in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by the people they love.
But, the demand for our services is increasing and we need your help, now more than ever, to support families in our community.
Stories
Liz and Myles' Story
“Home is where the heart is”, but for Liz, my wife, our garden was where hers was!
When Liz’s health rapidly declined in April 2022, our family home was the place that she wanted to be in. Her bed was positioned at the door leading out onto the garden so that she could have the breeze blowing on her, smell the flowers, and enjoy the garden that she had created and loved.
We were eventually introduced to the new team of Sobell House Home Hospice carers, who visited us four times every day. They were so gentle in the way they cared for Liz, whether it was softly brushing her hair or delicately applying lotions to her skin. The carers would even gently wipe the sleep from her eyes. There was an intimacy to the way they supported her, and they created an atmosphere of calm and dignity, being careful not to disturb her while she was resting.
Each time they had completed their care of Liz she shone, once again
Collin's Story
“Having been given his diagnosis on 21 September, Collin was adamant that he wanted to be at home. The Home Hospice Care team swung into action and everything was provided to keep Collin comfortable and pain-free. We received hospital equipment and had the support from carers, nurses, doctors, and an occupational therapist. Everyone was so kind and caring and allowed Collin to leave us in the way that he wanted on 14 October 2022. Our grateful thanks to you all.” – Pam, Matthew and Nicola
