NHS Charity helps provide sense of comfort for patients in their final weeks of life at home

Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity have funded a brand-new trial providing complementary therapy for end-of-life patients in their own homes to provide a sense of comfort and to help them feel calm in their final weeks.

The complementary therapies include Indian Head Massage, Reflexology, Reiki and therapeutic touch. All of which have been found to offer patients a sense of calm, relieve anxiety, assist with sleep problems, relieve symptoms amongst other benefits.

The programme started in April 2024 and feedback from recipients has been incredibly positive. Patients have commented on how relaxing they found the treatments.

85-year-old Alan Hassall from Winsford was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year which has spread to his lungs and liver, and is being cared for at home by his wife Gwen. He has enjoyed Reflexology which he describes as “nice and soothing” and which “warmed my feet up for two or three days.”

Another patient remarked ‘I was able to totally relax and not worry about anything. For one hour, I felt totally normal and felt I could switch off from my medical situation.’

This programme has been made possible thanks to funds raised by Cheerbrook Farm Shop in memory of founder Andrew Shufflebotham. It has enabled Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity (MCH Charity) to commission complementary therapists to treat patients in their own homes for the first time, which is where so many people would like to be.

Sarah Shufflebotham, Director of Cheerbrook shared:

‘It was vital for Andrew that he could stay at home so we could be together as a family, enjoying time with our children and outdoors in the garden.’

Head of Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity, Emma Robertson said:

‘When the Nantwich Community Nursing team approached us with the idea, we instantly knew how special it was. To be able to support someone at the end of their life in this way is exactly what MCH Charity is about. Bringing together the knowledge and experience of Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP) staff to provide enhanced care, beyond what the NHS service can offer. The feedback we’ve had is moving, the therapies are having such a positive impact on patients and their families.’

The Therapists delivering the treatments are highly experienced practitioners from St Luke’s Hospice. Previously patients in this region have only been able to receive these therapies at St Luke’s Hospice.

If you would like to donate in support of the of Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP) District Nursing team, please head to:

http://www.mchcharity.org

Pictured - Sarah Shufflebotham, Cheerbrook Farm Shop colleagues and Mid Cheshire Hospitals District Nursing team meet at Cheerbrook Farm Shop to celebrate the money raised and complementary therapies service created.