Ashgate Hospice's community nurse misses Christmas Day with her family to support patients nearing end of their lives

Jean Austin will work alongside colleagues in fielding calls through an advice line on December 25 from 9am to 5pm.

“Having a loved one ill at Christmas time is both stressful and heart-breaking for many of the families we care for,” said Jean. “I think it is important that we're able to make their homes an empathetic environment where patients and their families feel safe and supported.

“Witnessing the heartache of patients and their relatives when dealing with the symptoms of having an end of life diagnosis can be so hard. But providing love and support to our patients and families who recognise that this will be their last Christmas together is essential. I feel very privileged that I can help provide support and care to our patients this Christmas."

Jean, 55, who lives just outside Matlock, is a community palliative care nurse whose role involves assessing, implementing and coordinating the care of the palliative and end of life patients in their own homes across north Derbyshire.

She joined the hospice as a nurse on its inpatient unit in January 2021 before transferring to the hospice’s community team in May 2021.

Jean said: “Having had both my parents ill during Christmas time due to life-limiting illnesses I can empathise with relatives celebrating the festive season with their loved ones knowing that this could be their last Christmas together.”

Working as a nurse for many years, mum of three Jean has many memories of being on duty at Christmas time. She said: “I remember when a patient’s condition unexpectedly deteriorated; they needed us to urgently administer a syringe driver.

Ashgate Hospice, which needs to raise another £8million over and above NHS funding to provide its care, is inviting people to support its Christmas Appeal. A donation of £25 will help make a patient’s Christmas extra special by offering them and their family a home-cooked meal, complete with a Christmas cracker and a gift.

Anyone wishing to support the appeal can go to www.ashgatehospice.org.uk/christmas-appeal or call 01246 567250.

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