The
In-patient Assessment Unit occupies a modern, purpose-built,
sympathetic extension to the main building at Dorothy House. It
is light, bright and comfortably furnished with the necessary up-to-date
equipment to care for patients with a life- threatening illness.
There are double and single rooms, some with en-suite bathrooms,
and all with French windows opening on to the beautiful gardens.
The aim of the Unit is to achieve the best possible quality of life
for the patients - by reducing their symptoms and looking at their
emotional, social and spiritual needs.
Most of the patients looked after in the \
Assessment Unit are there for assessment and short-term care, including
pain relief and symptom control or respite care. Only a few people
choose to come into the Unit for their last days of life.
The Unit can help patients to cope with many of the symptoms associated
with conditions such as cancer and motor
neurone disease - including problems with breathing, lymphoedema,
mobility and pain. And many people come in for a few days, to give
their full-time carers a break.
After many years of using volunteers in the role of ward clerk on
the Unit, the decision was taken to make this a paid position.
There has been
a six-month community job swap, with one of the unit staff nurses
swapping roles with a district nurse so that each can gain specialist
experience in an alternative area.
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Our
physiotherapists continue to help patients to achieve the
best quality of life possible. Thanks to development money from
the NHS, each session of Day Care has five hours' physiotherapy
cover.
Manual handling training remains a important part of the work. All
staff and volunteers are trained in manual handling (lifting patients
safely) and those involved with patient handling receive an annual
update of two and a half hours which
includes practical and theoretical sessions.
The lymphoedema service sees people
with chronic swelling of arms and legs that often accompanies cancer
and its treatment.
In addition to established clinics in Devizes and Chippenham for
cases of mild lymphoedema, we are now planning clinics in the following
towns: Shepton Mallet, Frome, Westbury, Warminster, Trowbridge,
Melksham, Bradford on Avon, Keynsham, Paulton and Bath.
It is of great
benefit to patients to have access to a local clinic.
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'Unstinting
care and attention'
Ken Phesse, who lived in Winsley, had
been coming to Dorothy House as a Day Care visitor once a week,
but didn't quite know what to expect as an in-patient in the Assessment
Unit. This is Ken's story...
I
COULDN'T have expected better treatment than I've got here.
All the staff are so jolly and enjoy what they're doing and make
you the focus of their attention.
There is unstinting care and attention from everyone - the people
preparing the food, nurses, physios, everyone you meet. You always
get one-to-one attention. a resident chaplain tends to our spiritual
needs and if you need to talk to a member of the medical staff or
a physiotherapist there's always someone to see you very quickly.
There is wonderful liaison between Dorothy House, my GP surgery
and social services. I mentioned that the bed here was so much more
comfortable than the bed at home. Within a few hours someone had
been in touch with Bunty, my wife, and a new bed had been delivered,
ready for when I return home.
I've just had a bath using the special hoist you use here - it was
wonderful and the nurses take such care.
On Saturday I was feeling a bit down and one of the nurses came
in for a
chat - it was so comforting. It's so important that they have the
time to spend with you. Also, Bunty can have a well-deserved break
as she is confident that I'm receiving the best care.
We had a walk around the superb garden and down to the glade, it
was so peaceful. The situation of Dorothy House must have one of
the most beautiful scenic views possible.
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