St Columba’s Hospice has launched a new film about the services it provides and how it helps patients and families. The film is being launched as part of a year-long programme of activities to mark 40 years since the Hospice opened.
The Hospice, which is based in Trinity, was the first modern hospice in Scotland when it opened in 1977 and for 40 years has provided end of life care and support to people from across Edinburgh and the Lothians. In this film viewers can learn about some of the services provided, the impact the Hospice has on patients and families, and how the Hospice is supported by nearly 700 volunteers.
The new film features patient Ann Cruickshank, who has been using the day hospice services. In the film Ann says: “When you walk in to the Hospice, there are always friendly faces, the most beautiful flower arrangements, bright colours – it is the opposite of what we imagine the Hospice to be…There is something magical about it, every patient that comes in must feel the gratitude that I feel, through love because it’s just a loving place.”
Also featuring in the film is Paul Sheils, whose daughter Emma died at the Hospice in January 2016. In the film Paul says: “My oldest daughter Emma had been diagnosed with a brain tumour and she had a couple of operations and things were looking up. But she got ill again, so the Hospice was the best place for her. Emma had been looked after at home but once you realise how much that takes and the amount of effort that goes in to providing care, being able to do both – being a parent but also be a carer, it can take quite a lot out of you.”
The film also features staff nurse Mandy Ballantyne, chief executive Jackie Husband and volunteer Ruth Laidlaw and her dog Yassie. Yassie the dog is a therapet, brought in to the Hospice by Ruth to visit patients.
The film can be watched on the homepage of the Hospice’s website at www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk.
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