We have a dedicated team of professionals working 24/7 to provide specialist palliative care to patients and families within our Inpatient Unit. Nicola Cheetham, our Director of Clinical Services at the Hospice gives an insight into the Inpatient Unit at Bury Hospice.

The Inpatient Unit is a specialist unit, we provide a calm and caring environment for our patients and visitors. Our team of staff and volunteers are truly committed to ensuring everyone is treated with dignity, respect and compassion.

Our Unit has been purpose built and offers single rooms. Each room has an en-suite shower room and a terrace with its own view of the gardens. Patients are encouraged to bring items in to personalise their room and pets are welcome to visit.

Working in the Inpatient Unit is specialised and we take a holistic approach to a patient’s illness and also the wellbeing of those closest to them. We take time identifying what matters most to our patients and we work together to make a difference when it matters most.

We are also proud to be a Homeless-Friendly Hospice and provide care for homeless people living with a life limiting illness. One of the reasons rough sleepers fail to get medical care is that many believe they can't register with a GP due to their lack of address. Having signed the Homeless Friendly Pledge, this enables us to be fully engaged with helping meet the needs of homeless people for palliative and end-of-life care.

I am proud of how our staff work flexibly with resilience, motivation and passion to provide care and support to our patients and families every day. This month our IPU Team Leader Rhona Kallee is retiring from the Hospice. Rhona is a hjghly respected and much-valued member of the team. She has spent 20 years working for Bury Hospice, joining the nursing team at our previous premises in Dumers Lane.

As well as caring for the patients and their families, Rhona has raised thousands of pounds for the Hospice by taking part in fundraising activities including the Bury 10k, a cold water swim at Salford Quays and Strictly Best Foot Forward to raise cash for our vital facility. Rhona has also been a fantastic spokesperson for the Hospice, representing the Inpatient Unit at many fundraising events including the Bury Hospice Corporate Challenge and Bury Soroptimists.

Rhona said: “We have a great team. We provide excellent end-of-life holistic care to the whole family, not just the patient. It is a happy place and we do our utmost to make sure patients get what they need. It has a homely feel and people appreciate that, especially at a difficult time.”