Business

New Stour & Avon, August 13, 2021 Business Big thumbs-up for virtual day hospice

By Andrew Diprose A Virtual Day Hospice service is believed to be leading the way nationally with its innovative approach. The service, from Poole-based Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, which cares for patients all over East Dorset, was launched in January after the nation went into its third lockdown. While other hospice providers have introduced similar virtual day care support, it is believed Lewis-Manning is the only hospice provider in the UK that is going the ‘extra mile’. It is providing devices with full connectivity – no broadband required – to ensure all its patients can access the service. The vital service was made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, distributed by the National Lottery Community Fund. Clare Gallie, CEO, pictured, said: “The pandemic continues to affect so many aspects of all our lives and with the temporary closure of our Day Hospice and local hubs across East Dorset and Purbeck, to ensure the safety of our patients, Lewis-Manning needed to find a safe way to continue to support and care for patients at home. “In early autumn 2020 a project group was assembled, once the hospice had received funding, so we could launch this fantastic and unique service. “Lewis-Manning’s Virtual Day Hospice is one of the platforms that has allowed the organisation to continue to provide expert palliative care and advice, as well as essential support to adults and families in East Dorset and Purbeck who are living with a life-limiting illness. “So many of our patients felt socially isolated at this time, so it was our aim to provide muchneeded social interaction for those people who are shielding. “The purpose of the virtual sessions is to promote a sense of wellbeing and a positive approach to living with a lifelimiting illness, as well as to alleviate the feeling of loneliness that patients may be experiencing and giving direct clinical advice and support. “Evaluation of the service has been incredibly positive with findings showing that 92 per cent of patients have identified that their quality of life has improved or stayed the same since starting the Virtual Day Hospice (some patients will inevitably become more ill as time progresses due to the nature of their life-limiting illness). “96 per cent reported that the Virtual Day Hospice is a benefit to them in their life, 78 per cent of users reported that it was very easy to join online sessions, 95 per cent reported it gives them benefit in their lives, 96 per cent said that they were enjoying the sessions. “When asked what they enjoyed most about the Virtual Day Hospice, 78 per cent said they loved the online face to face contact, whilst 22 per cent said it was the quizzes. “92 per cent of patients stated that their preference of supportive care, ‘once we can see patients face to face again’, would be a hybrid of Virtual Day Hospice and face to face contact, four per cent opted to just have virtual support and no face to face contact and a further four per cent opted for only face to face support. “These findings are invaluable for our clinical team, as it really allows the charity hospice to listen to what matters to the patients and provide them with the care they individually want. “It is great to hear so many of the patients see a benefit from this service and want to continue with the Virtual Day Hospice service even when full restrictions are lifted and our Day Hospices are back in full swing.” Mandy Harris, Senior Day Hospice Nurse, said: “To date we have provided devices to 45 patients, delivering directly to their homes with support from our amazing volunteers providing comprehensive training and support to ensure that patients can fully utilise their devices and have full access to the online services. “This personalised support helps to alleviate anxiety around usage of the tablets and makes sure that patients have the confidence to engage with all of our online services and to be able fully participate in our diverse programme of events. “Feedback has been superb with many patients reporting how it is positively impacting on their emotional wellbeing and how they really enjoy the social interaction with both staff and fellow patients. “Whilst a virtual service cannot be a total substitute for physical social contact, it has been acknowledged that it goes a long way to being a very positive psychological factor in the routines of the patients that we care for and helps to alleviate the feelings of isolation and loneliness that they might be experiencing at these times and provides much needed companionship. “Having listened to the needs and feedback from our patients and their families we know that virtual is certainly working for our hospice community.” The online programme includes a mix of activities, including; n Access to a team of experts who specialise in palliative and holistic care n An opportunity for a private one-to-one consultation with a member of the nursing team n Gentle exercise n Mindfulness and relaxation sessions n A chance for peer support through socialising, allowing patients to be connected with other people with life-limiting illnesses n Fun interactive activities such as quizzes, art and poetry n Diversional therapy n Guest speakers Patient quotes included: “I particularly enjoyed the quizzes, they’re such good fun and there’s always much laughter.” “I feel very fortunate to be able to access one to one clinical support and advice so easily, it makes me feel much more secure and gives me confidence in my care and carers.” “Mindfulness and exercise classes are so good for my state of mind. I love the fact that I can attend from the comfort of my own living room, it’s like the hospice is visiting me personally at home!” Clare said: “We are thrilled with the success of our Virtual Day Hospice, the team have done an amazing job to get this service up and running during the huge pressures Covid has brought and at a time when people in our local area so desperately need care and support.” Tim Goodson, Chief Officer at NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We are pleased to be working with Lewis-Manning Hospice Care and believe that the innovation of organisations such as this, who are finding new ways of delivering to meet patient need, make a significant difference.”

Clare Gallie

Andrew Diprose is the founder and editor of dorsetbiznews.co.uk, the No.1 business website in the county with more than 27,000 unique users

Former Royal Marine Terry Marsh is hoping to make a splash with the launch of his new hot tub and swim spa showroom in Wimborne. The 33-year-old founded Hyperion Hot Tubs last year, initially as a hire business. It took off during the lockdowns as the lack of foreign travel and holidays led to people looking for new home experiences. But Terry, who served seven years in the Royal Marines, leaving in 2019, said: “Increasingly customers were asking about buying a hot tub. “I was referring them to other businesses and then the penny dropped: Why don’t we do sales?” Hyperion Hot Tubs is the authorised dealer for Master Spas in Dorset. The US-based company is the largest swim spa manufacturer in the world. It is also the largest portable spa and hot tub manufacturer making 100 per cent of its product in the USA. Brand ambassadors include swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals. The big challenge for Terry was to find premises big enough to showcase the range of Master Spa products. He said: “We really felt it was ‘Mission Impossible’ and then, by a stroke of luck, found our current home on the Uddens Trading Estate in Wimborne. “Formerly occupied by Farrow & Ball, it’s 4,800 sq ft and absolutely perfect for our needs. “I can’t speak highly enough of Birchmere who own the property. They couldn’t have been more helpful or efficient.” Hyperion Hot Tubs began trading from its new showroom, which includes 14 parking spaces, from the end of June. The Master Spa products sold range in price from £4,995 for the three-seater Getaway 2 with 17 hydrotherapy jets to the Michael Phelps Momentum Deep – a combination of swimming pool and hot tub –costing £46,995. Despite their ‘Love Island’ image, Terry says hot tubs and swim spas are particularly popular with families. People with health conditions such as arthritis and related rheumatic issues also benefit from the hydrotherapy aspects, he added. And the top of the range swim spas are ideal for exercise, even boasting their own rowing equipment. Terry said: “You literally have to crowbar young people out of hot tubs. “They just love them. “Parents find they not only create family fun but also are one of the ways of getting their children to put down their phones.” Hyperion Hot Tubs is a member of BISHTA (The British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association) and abides by its strict guidelines on hot tub safety and ethical trading practices. Terry is assisted in the business by partner Eleanor Meadows who worked in The Royal Household at Buckingham Palace for more than two years. Eleanor, 29, looks after customer service and administration. Terry, who’s Bournemouth born and educated and also worked as a bike mechanic for seven years, said: “We’re hungry for success but only when it’s done properly. “We deliver and install the hot tub or swim spa and won’t leave until our customer is absolutely happy. “Our aim is simple, to be the best.”

IN AT THE DEEP END: Terry Marsh and Eleanor Meadows of Hyperion Hot Tubs Ltd Picture: Dorset Biz News