Louise came to Blythe House in September 2014, providing a drop-in service for local patients and families to gain advice, information and support if they, or someone they loved, had been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness.
In August 2020, when the hospice launched its modernised services and brand-new Community Hub, Louise became the community engagement lead nurse. This new role combined both the delivery of patient and family care services within the Community Hub, and raising awareness of hospice services within the community and with health and social care professionals.
Louise qualified as a nurse in 1987 at Stepping Hill Hospital and has spent the majority of her career in palliative care roles including at St Ann’s Hospice, and as day-care nurse manager at East Cheshire Hospice for 10 years.
She said: ‘Back in 1992, I took a career break from full-time work to raise my three sons but undertook bank shifts at local care providers including hospitals and hospices. I worked at Blythe House Hospice back when it was located in a residential home on Manchester Road in Chapel-en-le-Frith. I cared for four or five patients in a small living room, with a tiny toilet at the back of the house!’
Here at the hospice in the present day, as well as vital one-to-one support for patients and carers, Louise coordinates three hospice support groups for carers, and those affected by breast and prostate cancers. These peer support groups are an opportunity for people to gain valuable advice and support, listen to guest speakers, share experiences, and form friendships. Louise is also responsible for setting up weekly bereavement support groups in partnership with local organisation, High Peak CVS.
Louise regularly attends and organises both internal and external events including stalls, presentations and training opportunities, to raise awareness of our care and services, to both members of the public and healthcare professionals.
Louise is chairman of the committee for the Association of Palliative Day Services, which she got involved with during her role at East Cheshire Hospice. She explained: ‘The association is fantastic for sharing ideas, knowledge and best practice; bringing together services from across the country to uniform structure and develop guidelines for practice.
‘I always wanted to be a nurse; it was never the high-tech, high-paced work that interested me. It was being at the bedside, spending time with people. This is why I went into palliative care particularly, as I wanted to spend that vitally important time with patients and their families.
‘I love my role here at Blythe House; we work so well as a team and value the work that we all do. We learn what’s important to individuals and what really matters to them. We learn from their experiences, and I’ve learnt the power of listening and giving time.’
Find out more about our Community Hub services that Louise is involved in.
