‘Helping peopleto livethelife they can.’
AtStLuke’sHospice,ourmission istoenablepeopleinCheshireto livethelifetheycan,informed andsupporteduntiltheendof theirlife,andtobethereforthose whoareclosetothem.
For36years,wehavebeen providingspecialistandpalliative careandsupport.Oursupport beginsfromthemoment someoneisdiagnosed,through topalliativecareandultimately endoflifecare.Wealsosupport familiesandcarers,fromhelping themtocopewiththepressure andstrainsofillness,tocoping withbereavementandhelping themmoveforward.
StLuke’sisacharityandallof ourservicesarefreeofcharge. Thisisonlymadepossiblebythe continuedsupportandgenerous donationsofourcommunity,who provideover80%ofthecostof runningtheHospice.
300k
Wesupporta populationof300k acrossthearea.
1000
Ourdoctors,nurses andhealthcare professionalsreceive over1000referrals eachyear.
We'reherefor patients24hoursa day,365daysayear.
Thedifference
we make...
Iamproudtoworkwithadedicatedandpassionate teamof174staffmembershereatStLuke’s-ateam whoarecommittedtoprovidingexceptionalcare andsupportwhichmakesadifferencetothelives oflocalpeopleeveryday.
Throughoutthisreportyouwillfindstatisticsabout theservicesweprovide,thenumberofpatientswe careforandfamilymemberswesupport.However, thetrueimpactofourservicescanbefoundinthe feedbackfromourserviceusersandinterviews withpatientsandfamilies,whichmakesushumble everyday.
Ouraimistoreachouttosupportmorelocalpeople whereverpossible,providingtherightcare,tothe rightperson,attherighttime,andintheright location.Wehaverecentlyestablishednewservices toprovidealternativesupportviaour‘StLuke’sNight CareService’and‘WeekendPalliativeCareService’.
Wehavealsodevelopedservicestosupportcarers ofpeoplewithdementia.Weplacepeopleatthe heartofeverythingwedo,ensuringthatour patientsandtheirlovedoneshavethebestcareand supportbefore,duringandafterdeath.
Thankyoutoourcommunityforyourongoing support-wecouldn’tdoitwithoutyou.
Neil
NeilWright,CEO
100% ofourpatientssurveyedfelttheywereshown dignityandrespectduringtheirvisit. ofpatientssaidthattheHospice environmentwasinvitingandcomfortable. ofpatientssaidtheywouldrecommendStLuke’s servicestotheirfamilyorfriends,shouldtheyneed similarcare.
InPatientUnit
Overthis12monthperiodour10bed InPatientUnitreceivedatotalof353 referrals.
Whilethemajorityofpatientsreferredtous haveacancerdiagnosis,18%ofreferrals wereforotherlifelimitingconditionssuch asMultipleSclerosis,Parkinsons,Motor NeuroneDisease,respiratoryfailureand heartfailure.
TwothirdsofpatientsreferredtoStLuke’s wereadmittedfromhomeforspecialist care,demonstratingtheHospice’srolein preventingunnecessaryhospital admissions.
Theremainingonethirdofadmissionswere transferredtotheHospicefromhospital, helpingthehospitaltocreategreaterbed capacitytocareforotherpatients.
Our impact
“The care, compassion and nursing has been second to none. We cannot thank you enough.”
“Every member of staff is amazing, professional, courteous and caring. There’s nothing too much trouble, always ready to help in any way possible.”
ofpatientsweredischargedto theirhomeoranursinghome forfurthercare 28%
353
patientswerereferredtostayon ourInPatientUnitduringthe year
63%
ofpatientsreferredtoourIn PatientUnitwereadmittedwithin 3days
“Never be afraid of St Luke’s, it’s an incredible place. I will never forget the amazing people that work there.”
“The staff were amazing, so compassionate and loving and very people centred. The care was tailored perfectly to our needs. There was never a lack of time or people, there was always somebody there for us.”
Our impact SueandMike Summersgill
52-year-oldSueSummersgillwascaredforon ourInPatientUnitinthefinalweeksofherlife.
HerhusbandMikesaid:“Thenursesrealisedhow anxiousSuewasafterthefirstnightandasked meifIwantedtostay.Theymentionedthatthey hadacuddlebedandtheybroughtitintoSue’s roomanddresseditupforuswithalittleheart towelsculptureandchocolatesonthepillows. Thatwasamazing,areallynicetouch.
“Ithasbeenabigreliefforherbecauseshe knowsI’mthereandshecanjustreachoutand touchme,andwecanhaveacuddle.It’sbeen soimportanttoustospendthattimetogether whilewe’regoingthroughthis.
“Thecuddlebedmeansthatformomentsin time,however,brief,wecanreverttoournormal realityofbeingtogether–watchingTVofan evening,lyinginbed,havingabrew.It’sabrief escapefromthecurrentrealityofwhat’s happeningandthecuddlebedallowsthat closenessandthefeelingthat,forafew preciousmoments,nothingiswrong.”
“It’s been so important to us to spend that time together.”
DayHospice
Morethan1,000patientsandcarersattendedour DayHospiceoverthe12months,forservices includingourWellbeingDays,Complementary TherapyClinics,DementiaServicesand RelaxationWorkshops.Ofthose507werenew referrals.
507
referralstoour DayHospice
414
Inadditionournursesmade414telephonecalls aspartofourTelecareServicetosupportpatients andcarersintheirownhomes. callsweremadeby ournursestosupport patientsandcarers athome
1302
patientsandcarers attendedour DayHospice
Our impact
“I’m building my life back. None of that would have happened if I hadn’t come to St Luke’s. I feel like I’ve come out the other side and I’m so grateful.”
“I can’t lie, the Hospice was the only thing that got me out of bed on some days.”
“I’m going down a road now that I’m prepared for. Hopefully I’ve got longer but I’m just going to keep fighting. St Luke’s is an absolutely astounding place. When the time comes if I can’t be at home, then this is the place I want to be.”
DebbieJones
DebbiefromCrewehasbeensupportedbyour DayHospicefollowingadiagnosisofovarian cancer,attendingournurse-ledcomplementary therapyclinics.
Shesaid:“IhaveflownreallysinceIstartedat StLuke’s.It’slikemysafetyblanketcominghere.I don’tevenhavetomentionthe‘C’word,there’s justanunderstandingandithasmademefocus againinapositiveway.
“BeforeeachsessionIgettospeaktoanurseand thatreallyhelps.HomeismysafeplacebutIfeel thatthisismysafeplacetoo.Itgivesmethe couragetofaceeveryday.
“Idon’tknowwhatthefutureholdsbutIneedto makethemostofitandIknowthatStLuke’sare theretosupportmeandholdmyhand.
“Idon’tthinkIwouldbeinthegoodplacethatI amnowwithwhatIamfacingifitwasn’tfor StLuke’s.I’msogratefulforeverythingandfor everyday.”
“This is my safe place. It gives me the courage to face every day.”
DementiaSupportServices
221
peoplewere supportedthrough ourDementiaCare services
“You are given a diagnosis of dementia and then you are left to it. I didn’t know anything about what was available locally until I came to St Luke’s.”
“We came to the workshop and just learned so much, not just from the nurses but from other carers who shared their experiences.”
“This has been a wonderful drop in clinic that gives me a chance to talk to other people and share worries and concerns.”
peopleattendedour musictherapygroup forthoselivingwith dementia 52
“John has increasingly been living in a world of his own but the energy and enthusiasm of Jess during the sessions pulls him out of that world and back into current time so I can glimpse aspects of who he used to be.”
“When I watch him beating a rhythm on the drum it's like seeing the real Jeff, my Jeff and I love it.”
Occupational Therapy
TheOccupationalTherapyserviceis integratedwithinthewiderteamto provideaholisticapproachtopatient careattheHospice.Theservice providespalliativerehabilitationforall patients,andtheirfamilyandcarers,at everystageoftheirillness.
254patientsweresupported byourOccupational Therapistoverthe12months.
HospiceatHome NightCareService
OurNightCareServiceenablesStLuke’sto supportpatientsintheirownhomes overnight.Ourhealthcareassistantsoffer adomiciliarynightsittingservicefrom 10pm–8am.
Overthe12monthsatotalof53patients weresupportedathomewithnightsits. 84%ofvisitsweretosupportpainand symptommanagement. 16%weretoprovideendoflifecare.
Our impact
“It’s good to know that I can call you at the weekend.”
“We couldn’t have asked for better care.”
WeekendPalliative CareService
Ourweekendservicesupportspatients andtheircarers/relativesout-of-hours whencommunityteamsmaynotbe operating.
Overthe12monthperiodatotalof675 callsweremadetopatientsintheirown homesonSaturdaysandSundays, providingadviceandsupportinrelationto medicationandsymptommanagement.
SocialWork
Ourspecialistpalliativecaresocialworker offersawidevarietyofsupporttopatients whoarebeingcaredforbytheHospice andthosewhoareimportanttothem. Theycanprovidepracticalhelpin identifyingcareandsupportneeds, signpostingtoappropriatesupport organisations,navigatingsocialcare services,foodbankreferrals,and signpostingforfinancialandbenefits advice.
86patientswerereferredto oursocialworkerforsupport overtheyear.
“When you live on your own it’s really terrifying. The techniques I’ve been taught really do help. It’s changed my life coming to St Luke’s.”
FamilySupport
OurFamilySupport&CounsellingTeamreceived285referralsforsupportover theyear.
Theyalsoheld2,437appointmentswithclients,whichincluded:
adultsreceived 1-2-1counselling support 845
childrenreceived 1-2-1counselling support 146
adultsweresupported byourfamilysupport groups 322
bereavedchildren weresupportedat school 5
88%
sessionsforbereaved childrenwereheldbyour PhoenixChildren’s SupportGroup 31 receivedcounsellingin personattheHospice. Therestwereby telephoneorvideocall.
Our impact
“A big thank you to my counsellor and to St Luke’s for all the support they have given me throughout a very difficult time while my husband was ill and after his passing. I will always be very grateful, you all do a fantastic job.”
“I found my therapist to be extremely understanding, skilful and empathetic, all in the right ratios.”
“I was very sceptical about counselling but it really changed my views on it. It has helped me tremendously and I look at myself with a different perspective and how to cope with trigger points.”
“I found my therapist an angel, wish I had met her earlier in my life. She helped me get rid of the baggage I was carrying in my head and the fear I had for the future.”
Our impact
James Marshall
Ten-year-oldJamesMarshallattendedour PhoenixChildren’sBereavementSupport GroupafterhisdadsadlydiedattheHospice.
Runbycounsellorsandtrainedvolunteers,the groupsupportslocalfamiliesbyprovidinga safeandfriendlyenvironmentwherechildren andyoungpeoplearehelpedtounderstandthe feelingsandexperiencesassociatedwithloss andchange,andgivenpossiblecoping strategies.Importantlytheyalsomeetother childreninasimilarsituation.
Jamesexplains:“AtthestartIwasscaredI wouldn’tknowanyofthechildrenandIdidn’t knowwhatthefacilitatorswouldbelike,butthey aregreatfunandI’vemadealotofstrong friendshipsalongthewaywithotherchildren andmembersofstaff.
“BeforeIwasveryanxiousbecauseIdidn’tknow anyonebutnowI’mreallycomfortablewithit andI’malwaysexcitedtogo.IfeltlikeIwasthe onlychildgoingthroughit,butnowIdefinitely don’tfeellikethat.”
“It’s helped me realise it’s not just me who’s going through this grief, and I feel less isolated with it.”
and training Education
Goodeducationiscentraltogoodpalliative careandwearecommittedtosharingour knowledgeandexpertisewithother healthcareprofessionals.Overthisyearwe havesupported….
15nursing
students
2nurseassociatestudents
WesupportstudentsfromChester UniversityandStaffordshireUniversitywith placementsattheHospice.Wealsotake studentsonshortvisitsfromKeele,Liverpool andtheOpenUniversity.
“ThestaffatStLuke'shavebeen excellentingivingmeopportunities toprogressmyknowledgeandskills undersupervision.”
“Staffwerereallysupportiveand goodatteaching.”
Wehavealsoprovidedtrainingto:
40staffnurses
intheEmergencyDepartmentatLeighton Hospital
Thistrainingistoincreasetheirknowledge ofpalliativecare,theroleoftheHospice andhowwecanworkclosertogetherso thatpatientsarelookedafterinthe appropriateplace.TheHospital’spalliative linknursehasalsodonesomeshiftsonour InPatientUnittoincreasetheirknowledge.
‘Everyonesaidtheyfounditreallyuseful anditwasgreattoknowaboutthelocal availabilityandservicesoffered.’
AdviceLine
261callsreceived
Our24/7PalliativeCareTelephoneAdvice Linereceived261calls,mainlyoutofhours fromhealthcareprofessionalsinneedof specialistadviceregardingmedicationor symptommanagement.
Thesecallsgivenon‐hospicestaffthe confidencetosupportpatientsin numerousothercaresettingshelpingto keeppatientsfrombeingadmitted inappropriatelytohospital.
In2023/24itcost
£5,586,000
Thisequatesto:
£15,304perday
£637perhour
£10.60perminute
We receive limited support from the government which means around 84p of every £1 we spend on care is funded by donations and fundraising. ImpactReport2023/24
Volunteering
Ourcaresimplywouldn’tbepossiblewithouttheloyalsupportofvolunteers whohelpbothattheHospiceandacrossourcharityshops.Theyalso supportourfundraisingeventsinthecommunity.
Volunteersdonatedmorethan58,000hoursoftheirtimethroughoutthe yearwhichsavedtheHospiceapproximately£611,000instaffingcosts. Hugethankstoallourvolunteers.
volunteers support St Luke’s 683 of those work in our 9 charity shops and Warehouse. 49%
"Ilovegettingoutofthehouseand keepingbusy,Iusedtoworkina charityshopwithmywife,soIfeel veryathomehere.It'sgreattowork here.Theteamaresofriendlyand lovelytoworkwith.It'sgoodtoknowI amhelpingmycommunitytoo."
Colin
“I’mquiteshyreallybutvolunteeringin theshophashelpedmealot.Youfeel likeyou’retheHospice’sfaceonthe highstreet,soit’sreallyimportantto bewelcomingandfriendlytothe customersandthenthey’llhopefully comebackandkeepsupportingus.
“Ifinditveryrewarding.Thebanter withthecustomersandstaffisgreat, andit’sareallylovelyteamtowork with.”
Paul
The
valueof
fundraising
Aswereceiveapproximatelyjust14%ofourtotalfundingfromthegovernment–a muchsmallercontributionthanmanyotherhospicesreceive-werelyonfundraising activitiesandtheloyalsupportofourcommunitytosustainourvitalservices.
FromourcharityshopsandLottery,toHospiceeventsandcommunityfundraising activities,wearesogratefulforthecontinuedsupportwereceive.
Thenumbersthatfollowprovideaflavouroftheamazingfundraisingthathastaken placeoverthepastyear.
Charityshops
bags and boxes were donated throughout the year
80,000 of furniture sales
£250,000 sales of men’s, ladies’ and children’s clothing
£500,000 of donated goods sold on our eBay site
£88,000
Inthecommunity...
local businesses supported the Hospice 200
£91,655
was raised by individual fundraisers in support of the Hospice
Events
Oureventsplayanimportantrolein raisingvitalfundsfortheHospice.
4366
people attended our Hospice events this year
3000
Christmas trees were collected and recycled by our event’s team in January 2024 in return for £55,000 in donations to patient care
12,865
children took part in our Elf Run
£105,130
was raised by community groups during the year
Lottery& Raffles
£602,483 lottery players took part in our weekly draws
The amount raised this year through our Lottery and Christmas/Summer Superdraw raffles
3,794
people joined our Lottery as new players over the year
worth of raffle tickets were purchased by supporters for our Summer and Christmas Superdraws
16,718
£70,718 was donated by regular givers over the year
£83,476 regular givers 495
average monthly donation £12.62
254 Theyear at a glance
TeamStLuke's
1302
patientsandcarers attendedour DayHospice
273
peoplesupported throughourDementia CareServices
nursingstudents supportedwith trainingbythe Hospice 17
353
patients were referred to our In Patient Unit
patientssupportedby ourOccupational Therapist
63%
ofpatientsreferredtoour InPatientUnitwere admittedwithin3days
2437
appointments provided by our Family Support & Counselling Team
31
sessionsforbereaved childrenwereheldbyour PhoenixSupportGroup
Howarewefunded?
StLuke'sHospice
Asacharitywemakenochargeforour services,butrelyonthesupportofourlocal community,ourownfundraising effortsand amodestcontributionfromtheNHS.This enablesustoprovidesupporttopatients andtheirfamiliesaccordingtotheir individualneeds.
Itisprudentforacharitylikeours,whose incomeisuncertain,toholdreservesto providethefinancialstabilitytosustainably delivertheserviceswhichweprovide.
ImpactReport2023/24
e