June 2024

UHP celebrates its vital hidden workforce

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) is proud to celebrate Volunteers Week, recognizing the invaluable contributions of our dedicated volunteers who selflessly support our healthcare services. From June 3 to June 9, we join thousands of charities and voluntary organisations in national celebration to acknowledge the remarkable impact that volunteers have on communities across the UK.

2024 marks the 40th year of Volunteers’ Week and this year’s theme is ‘Something for Everyone’, which is certainly true at UHP. We hope to encourage people to get involved in volunteering in whatever way works for them. With over 30 roles, there is plenty of opportunity for people to get involved in their hospital.

UHP’s team of over 350 volunteers give over 2,600 hours a month, providing support across various departments, enhancing patient experience, and assisting our healthcare professionals. Their roles are diverse, including supporting with patient rehabilitation, providing refreshments in waiting areas, comforting and befriending anxious patients, guiding visitors, and much more. The dedication and compassion of our volunteers significantly enriches the quality of care we offer, creating a warmer and more supportive environment for patients and staff alike. Volunteers can give the extra “nice to have” to improve patient experience – directions, a cup of tea or a chat from a volunteer can have a huge impact. From our 2024 volunteer survey we know that 98% of our current volunteer population feel that volunteering has a positive impact on patient experience.

We could not do it without them, so from all those at UHP, a huge thank you.

Volunteering can help volunteers on a personal level too. Volunteering is an excellent way to build confidence in a safe, encouraging environment which supports individuals with achieving their future goals. 98% of UHP volunteers are enthusiastic about their roles and 96% would recommend volunteering at UHP to a friend. One volunteer recently told us: "being a volunteer has given me a purpose again after a life changing experience, I feel I make a huge difference to patients I support but in return, they are making a difference to my life too. I honestly can‘t imagine my life without being a volunteer!". Some have progressed to careers in the NHS and other healthcare settings, whilst others have been able to say thank you to UHP for care they or their loved ones have received by gifting their time. There’s always plenty to learn and to do – every day is different!

This year, to recognise Volunteers’ Week UHP is hosting a celebration evening supported by Plymouth Hospitals Charity, awarding long service badges and?thank you certificates as well as hosting a stand in the main hospital concourse for staff, patients and visitors to share messages of thanks and ideas of future projects they would like to see the service achieve. We are also sharing inspiring stories of our volunteers on our social media channels, highlighting their diverse roles and the positive impact they have on our hospital community, as well as messages from the staff who support them on a daily basis.

Speaking about the week, Danielle Faulkner, Voluntary Services Manager, said: “We are grateful every day for our volunteers and their kindness and willingness to go the extra mile to help our patients and support our staff. Volunteers are acknowledged as a vital and often unseen workforce, but their efforts do not go unnoticed or unappreciated, whether that’s in the Emergency Department, on wards or on Hospital Radio. The stories we hear about the help our volunteers give demonstrate how valuable their services are. One volunteer recently told us ‘It was nice to interact with a deaf patient and her deaf partner to support them through their stressful period in ED. My brother is deaf and I was able to use sign language and gesticulation to support them with announcements being made to all patients.’ I am incredibly proud to support such an amazing team. Thank you for all that you do for us.”

Volunteering for the NHS is patient-centred but also driven by volunteers themselves; finding out what interests them and how they want to help ensures that they have a satisfying and rewarding experience. Our committee and staff team work together to ensure that volunteer voices are heard and that as a team we respond to what UHP requires. There are lots of exciting new roles being developed to grow the service and to continue to meet evolving patient, staff, and volunteer needs, including ongoing support for the new REI facility, hairdressing, and a new scheme for young people under 16 in the works.

We have volunteers aged 16, right up to in their 80s. Some give their time every week, others less frequently, but all are part of our #1BigTeam. Flexibility is key with volunteering, as everyone already has a busy life to juggle, but giving back has proven benefits for wellbeing and keeps people active both physically and mentally. You can find out more about volunteering at UHP on our volunteering webpage .

Marie Curie HCAs support end of life patients in UHP’s Emergency Department

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) now has Marie Curie healthcare assistants (HCAs) working in the Emergency Department (ED).

A team of healthcare assistants (HCAs) from the UKs leading end of life charity, Marie Curie, are now working in the Emergency Department to provide supportive clinical care, emotional support, and a listening ear to ensure that patients are not alone at end of life.

The pilot, designed to improve the experiences of palliative and end of life patients in the Emergency Department (ED), has been running since February 2024 and has already had a positive impact on staff, patients, carers and families.

The new team is working alongside the existing UHP registered specialist end of life care staff.

Ali Griffiths, Macmillan Emergency Department End of Life Practitioner, praised the Marie Curie HCAs for the difference they make to families: “The Emergency Department is a tense, busy, noisy environment, and having our Marie Curie colleagues working alongside us allows us to provide additional support, delivered with love and compassion.

“The Marie Curie team helps to de-medicalise the patient and allow their loved ones to spend time together, without the clinical responsibility of their care. They sit alongside the families in the storm of ED and provide calm.”

The care that the Marie Curie HCAs provide includes symptom management, personal care, mouth care and moving and repositioning patients to ensure they are as comfortable as possible. They also provide valuable emotional support to patients and their families.

Their care supports dignified, high-quality end of life care in an otherwise stressful environment.??

Shaen Milward, MA Ed, BSc(Hons) OT, FHEA , Trust End of Life Lead, said: “Our combined End of Life team at UHP works so hard. They are really special people who provide outstanding care to patients at the end of their lives. These inspirational staff have significantly impacted experience of end of life care in the Emergency Department.”

Heather Major, whose father was admitted to UHP’s ED earlier this year, reflects on the service and the difference the HCAs made to her father’s care, and her family’s experience: “I can’t fault the Marie Curie healthcare assistants. They were very supportive, and they explained everything to us. I’ve worked in nursing for over 30 years and currently I work in a care home with lots of end of life patients so I knew roughly what to expect, but even still, it’s very different when it’s someone you love. ?

“They made us feel like Dad was special. Along with the ED Palliative Care team, they asked us what we wanted to happen next. They explained that Dad was really poorly and what our options were. We decided we’d like him to be moved to Mount Gould, and they made that happen. Thanks to them he had the death he deserved, being cared for and treated with dignity.”

This service has also had a positive impact on the staff members in the ED, with the Marie Curie HCAs alleviating pressure on ED colleagues, allowing them to provide care to other patients whilst ensuring that those on end of life care are given the treatment and attention that they require. ?

Karen Burfitt, Marie Curie Associate Director Strategic Partnerships and Services South West, said: “Our vision at Marie Curie is a better end of life for all – we believe everyone deserves the best end of life experience possible, regardless of where they die.

“Having specialist Marie Curie care available within the busy Emergency Department at UHP has undoubtedly improved the experience of those who die or spend time there in their final weeks and days of life.

“This service demonstrates working in partnership at its very best and I’m delighted that Marie Curie has shown the ability to be responsive and adaptable to the needs of the local healthcare system.”

If you’re living with a terminal illness or have been affected by dying, death and bereavement, Marie Curie can help. Visit mariecurie.org.uk or call the free Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309 or email [email protected] .

Image credit to John Allen Photography, 2024.?