On Friday, Theo Clarke MP visited the new Therapy and Wellbeing Centre at Katharine House Hospice in Stafford that offers services to help palliative patients live a better quality of life.
Theo met with Chief Executive Richard Soulsby and Director of Care David Fletcher, to tour the new facilities. While there, Theo also spoke with Mel Cotterill, a Lymphoedema Nurse Specialist, as well as patients Alison Buckley and Wendy Bateson who shared their experiences of the hospice.
Wendy, who has secondary breast cancer, explained: “I have had so much support from the hospice. When I was diagnosed I had to process what was going on and I saw Dr Davenport who sorted out a plan for managing my pain. I also started counselling with Kim, which was absolutely brilliant. I was able to put my affairs in order so I can have time to make memories and move forward. It’s now about living with cancer".
Services at the new centre include complementary therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, lymphoedema care, counselling, spiritual care and family support. The reopening of the centre comes after the facility was closed for three years, due to Covid and extensive renovations.
Speaking about her visit, Theo said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be here today again for another tour at Katharine House Hospice and it’s fantastic to see the new Therapy and Wellbeing Centre. What a wonderful environment for residents in Stafford to have right on our doorstep".
Theo added: “It was fantastic to meet some of the staff who work here and see what a wonderful service they offer to local residents and I was particularly struck to meet some of the in-house patients and hear about some of the support and services that Katharine House is providing. Particularly helping their families with extra counselling for their children and their partners and it’s just really fantastic to see such a positive environment. I think people really think of a hospice as a place you go to at the end of life, but I think the message I really heard today is about living with incurable illnesses and how this is a great support service for you to go back home and try to have as normal a life as possible and I’m delighted to support Katharine House Hospice today.”
