Syringe pump appeal
Thank you for making a difference to someone's life today.
Your generous donations have meant we can purchase 14 syringe pumps to help our patients be free from pain.
“Syringe pumps are a modern and effective method of delivering pain and symptom relief medications to patients who are unable to take medicine by mouth.
“Due to their age, our current syringe pumps need to be replaced. And our healthcare partners in Hillingdon will soon be updating their syringe pumps, which means ours will no longer be compatible with those in the local community, creating challenges for our staff to provide patients with continuous care.
“Please support me and my team to deliver the excellent pain-free care our patients deserve.”
– Dr Ros Taylor MBE, our Medical Director
John’s story, told by his sister Marguerite
“Initially, John received palliative care at home. He was very ill and wasn’t very mobile. He was extremely independent and wanted to stay at home, but he would get confused with all the medication he had to take. We tried to help by writing it all down and staying with him, but it was very stressful for John and for our family.
His main problem was terrible pains in his legs, which were simply impossible to control.
“He was on all sorts of painkillers, that he took as and when. He would set his alarm clock every two hours during the night to take medication or would try not to sleep at all to avoid waking up in terrible pain.
And then one day John called me – he was in tears. I’d never heard my brother cry before. He was one of the strongest people I knew. He was in agony. So I went round to his house and tried to help him get his pain under control. But that day, it was simply impossible. It was so horrible to see him in such awful, awful pain. Eventually, after calling a helpline, we managed to get it under control with their support.
The next day, John’s nurse suggested he went to stay at Michael Sobell House to get his symptoms under control. When he arrived by ambulance, the team were waiting at the entrance of the Inpatient Unit and greeted him by name which made him, and us, feel so welcome. They supported John by reviewing his medication and adjusting it so his pain was much better controlled. But the biggest benefit for him from his stay was being able to use a syringe pump. Soon after his admission, the doctor put him on one and, to our relief and his, he was so much more comfortable.
“And because the syringe pump delivered his medication 24 hours a day, he had peace and reassurance that he could nap during the day and night without fear of waking up in agony.
It’s really hard to put into words how important that syringe pump was. From our point of view, it was such a relief not to see him in pain. That was the biggest thing for us. And it made such a huge difference to him. It really did.”
Why do we desperately need to purchase fourteen syringe pumps?
Our patients face troubling symptoms every day due to their illness. Syringe pumps are the most effective way to administer key medication, relieve various symptoms including pain, and make our patients feel more comfortable living each of their days in their own way.
Due to changes by our healthcare partners, all our current syringe pumps will be different to those in the community. And different pumps work in different ways. This means it will be challenging for our doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants to manage the delivery of medicine to our patients effectively as their care moves between the Inpatient Unit and home.
Pam’s story, told by her son Steve
“Mum suffered from bowel cancer for a few years and we knew that, sooner or later, it was going to come to a head again. And that’s what happened on New Year’s Eve. Looking back now, we had a great Christmas with her. And then suddenly on New Year’s Eve it all went a bit wrong.
Mum was very keen on trying to get a place at Michael Sobell House. She had a history with the charity and used to volunteer for them in years gone past. So, when we managed to secure the place, it was a huge relief and gave her a lot of comfort knowing she would be looked after there.
We knew it was just a matter of a few short weeks and Mum knew that herself. And to be honest, she was very pragmatic about things and very organised. Mum was someone who used to fuss over stupid stuff, but on the big stuff she was very clear minded.
She didn’t need a lot of medical intervention thankfully, but she needed a steady flow of medication. Mum was never very good at taking tablets even at the best of times. And she was semi-lying down, so it made taking tablets difficult. I was often there when the medicine round was coming, and she would get anxious every time. The fact that Mum could use a syringe pump took all that stress away.
“The syringe pump was very unintrusive and could be tucked under the pillows on her bed. We weren’t even aware that it was there, and the medication could be added to or changed without having to worry about cannulas and everything else. So, it was hugely convenient. It was less stress for Mum and less stress for us.
It was just part of making life in those circumstances as easy as possible. As soon as she was given a syringe pump you could see her relax and not worry about that side of it. As a result, she was able to pass her time and days as comfortably as possible, and without fear or undue discomfort.
“The care that she received at Michael Sobell House was everything that we hoped for. In the end it was quite quick and peaceful. It was a combination of everything: the facilities, the treatment, and the team. The fact that we could go in any time of the day or night. It became, for that short period of time, an extension of our home. In the circumstances, we couldn’t have wished for any better and the syringe pump played a huge role in that.“
One syringe pump costs £1438.
Your gift today will help people facing serious illness access all our Hospice Services. Thank you.
