North Devon Hospice Annual Review 2007-2008

Annual

Review

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2007 2008

From the Chairman Dear Friends, I find myself reflecting in my final year as Chairman about the strength and depth of the skills and talents of all our trustees, staff and volunteers who, in a variety of settings, continue to deliver the highest standards of care and support to our community. Particular thanks are due to Philip Jewell who retired as Chief Executive after twenty-three years of service, and also to Lady Arran, who stands down as President at the Annual General Meeting. Her support has been truly inspirational.

Each year the hospice continues to grow and develop; last year saw the completion of the new kitchen and dining facility using the Help the Hospices (Department of Health Fund) grant. We continue to owe a debt of gratitude to all the individuals, community groups and companies who fundraise so tirelessly on our behalf. Without this selfless support we simply could not continue to achieve our objectives.

Although we seem to be entering a period of uncertain economic conditions, End of Life Care and the support of those with other debilitating conditions have never had more prominence within the National Health Service’s priorities. With the emphasis on providing access to the highest quality of palliative care, (in the place that the patients and their families choose), prudent use of our resources and an emphasis on improving the skills base through education will ensure we can respond effectively to future challenges.

Next year is our 25th anniversary and we look forward to celebrating with all our supporters; my thanks and best wishes go out to you all.

‘Speaking to you takes me out of myself.

And when I am out of myself I am no longer paralysed’ - a patient

Image: A test of nerve: one of the many participants in the Devon Dangle

Community nurse specialists

This year, our community nursing team made nearly 6,000 visits to patients and families in North Devon.

This involved the team travelling a total of 36,000 miles to reach those homes where the care was needed The majority of care given by North Devon Hospice happens in the community. We have a team of nine community nurse specialists who visit patients in their own homes to provide physical, emotional and practical support. This support extends to those carers and families who are also greatly affected by the illness of someone close to them.

Our community nursing team covers the whole of North Devon and is attached to GP surgeries throughout the area, working with other healthcare professionals to provide the best possible care for patients and their families.

By increasing the number of community nurse specialists this year, North Devon Hospice has made a commitment to providing extra care and support where it is most needed, at home.

‘I always feel better in myself when you’ve been here’ - a patient Image: Floating Bye: some of the hundreds of flowers attached to the raft

Day Hospice

This year, there were nearly 1,400 Day Hospice attendances, which is an increase of almost 10% on last year Day Hospice is an opportunity for patients to come and spend the day with us. It is a chance to interact with others in a similar situation as well as an opportunity to talk to a nurse, enjoy tasty lunches, take part in arts and crafts or have a complementary therapy session.

This year, Day Hospice has been running on three core days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday). Feedback from patients indicates that they find great comfort in coming to Deer Park, especially in the mutual support of friendship and enjoying walks around the beautiful garden.

Complementary therapies

Our complementary therapists have provided over 1,300 sessions We offer a range of relaxing complementary therapies including massage, acupuncture, aromatherapy, reflexology and reiki. As serious illness doesn’t just affect the patient, our complementary therapies are available free of charge to all patients and their main carer.

The constant feedback we receive has indicated how much this part of our service is appreciated and valued.

Image: Day Hospice patients enjoy locally made produce from a visiting icecream van

Bedded unit

This year has seen nearly 200 patient admissions and a 100% rise in the number of patients coming in for day treatments Our bedded unit has continued to be a vital facility for the people of North Devon. When symptoms become too complex to treat at home, the staff on the bedded unit are there to provide expert care 24 hours a day.

While many of our 200 admissions were for people towards the end of life, over half of those admitted (having had their symptoms controlled), were able to return home to continue their journey through their illness.

Emotional and Spiritual Support

Last year the Emotional and Spiritual Care team supported over 400 men, women and children in North Devon This involved the team’s providing nearly 3,000 consultations which included counselling, bereavement support, self-help techniques and healing. In addition, the team facilitated 16 different support groups throughout the year.

We are also indebted to our team of dedicated bereavement volunteers who gave over 300 hours of their time to help people who were adjusting to life following the death of someone close to them.

‘Here I know I can be myself...it’s such a relief’ - a patient

Image: Our gardens have received much care from volunteers and staff alike

Volunteering

In total, our volunteers have given us over 160,000 hours of their time this year This equates to more than £1m worth of extra support.

Without support from our huge network of volunteers, North Devon Hospice simply could not exist. This year, our team of care volunteers increased to 150 while we have over 250 volunteers working in our shops and on our fundraising projects. Thank you to all of you who give your time to help the hospice.

Fundraising

Voluntary income has increased this year by 25% to an incredible £2.7m This has been made possible by our Fundraising team and our network of volunteers throughout the area who continue to foster such good relationships with the wider North Devon community.

Community fundraising is the cornerstone of our income with events organised from within the community as well as by us.

This year saw North Devon’s largest ever fundraising event when 1,500 women took part in our inaugural Nightwalk, (which generated in excess of £125,000).

‘It was really tough but I felt so good afterwards...I still do’ - a fundraiser

Legacy income continues to be hugely important to us as over £1.5m has been donated this year through the kindness of people remembering us in their wills. Our lottery still has an excellent membership with over 10,000 weekly players and our 11 shops have performed excellently by contributing nearly £200,000 to the hospice - an increase of 20%.

Image: Coastguard Simon Wiseman has organised ‘walk for life’ for many years

Other £16,115 Help the Hospices (Dept. of Health Fund) £490,327 Grants £37,563 Hospice shops £197,719

Financial review

Over this past year, through your generous support, our income has reached £4.33 million; thank you

Investments £226,557 Hospice lottery £325,206 Donations £629,299 Devon Primary Care Trust £837,602 Legacies £1,574,051

Income £4.33m

Governance 1.4% Education 4.5% Fundraising 13.9% Care 80.2%

Expenditure £2.88m

We are grateful to all staff and volunteers who work so hard in our shops and lottery, as over this year they have generated income in excess of £522,000.

Our running costs are met in part by Devon Primary Care Trust; however approximately 70% of our costs are met from voluntary sources such as legacies, donations and fundraising.

Our total expenditure rose to around £2.9 million, much of this expense being incurred by the inpatient unit. Staff costs are three quarters of our expenditure with nearly 85% of total costs spent on patient care and education.

An operating surplus of £1.45 million will help us to continue to provide care and develop services for our patients and their families. We must strive to build on the success of this year, and need to raise almost £9,000 each day to meet future running costs.

This summary financial information for North Devon Hospice relates to the statement of financial activities for the year ended on 31st March 2008 and the balance sheet as at that date but is not the statutory accounts, which are available with the trustees’ and auditors’ report, from Wortham Hills Jaques. The full accounts which have been approved by trustees have been audited and the report contained no concerns such as a qualified opinion or a limitation of scope. The annual report and accounts are being submitted to the Charity Commission.

Auditors’ Statement: We have reviewed the summary financial information of North Devon Hospice for the year ended 31st March 2008. In our opinion it is consistent with the full accounts of the charity for that year.

Wortham Hills Jaques, July 2008

‘I no longer feel desperately alone’ - a carer Image: Light up a life: 18 venues this year with 2000+ people attending

I would like to help North Devon Hospice ❑

I enclose a gift of £ (please make cheques payable to North Devon Hospice)

❑

I would like to make a regular contribution (we will send you a standing order form)

President

Caring for you

The Countess of Arran MBE DL

across North Devon

Lynton

ILFRACOMBE

President elect: The Rt. Revd. Bob Evens (Bishop of Crediton)

9

A3

Woolacombe

E X M O O R Braunton

BARNSTAPLE

Bude

Holsworthy

Trustees

BIDEFORD

77

A39

(we will contact you)

Please send me more details about: The hospice lottery ❑ ❑

Leaving a gift in my will

❑

In memoriam giving

❑

Community and events fundraising

Title:

Forename:

Surname: Address: Postcode:

Telephone:

Email:

1

A3

Clovelly

Geoffrey Cox QC MP Gavyn Davies OBE Nick Harvey MP Mark Parkhouse DL John Riley The Hon John Rous DL Lady Stucley David Whiteley

I would like to volunteer to help the hospice

A36

Westward Ho!

Hartland

Vice Presidents

❑

Great Torrington

South Molton

Ron Ley (Chairman) Dr John Womersley (Vice Chair) Steve Scoffield (Treasurer) Barbara Bollom Dr Eric Holmes Philip Loft Alec McNeill Doreen Nelson Mark Parkhouse DL Barbara Sheppard Helen Tanner Lesley Taylor David Trueman Angela Webb Sandra Yeo

❑

I would like this and future donations to be treated as Gift Aid. I am a UK tax payer and want North Devon Hospice to claim 25p in every £1 of my donation/s back in tax at no extra cost to myself.

If you are unsure whether your donations qualify for gift aid please contact us. You must pay income tax or capital gains tax equal to the amount that we can reclaim. Please let us know if your circumstances change and you no longer pay income tax or capital gains tax equal to that amount. You may cancel this declaration at any time. Last year, we claimed more than £35,000 from the Inland Revenue thanks to your gift aided donations.

Signed: ❑

Date: Please tick here if you do not wish to receive any further communications from us.

Please return this form to:

North Devon Hospice, Deer Park, Barnstaple EX32 0HU

being there for all the family

Cover photo: courtesy of North Devon Journal