Mandy’s care for area’s bereaved

Holbeach Hospital has thanked its Care Champion for 25 years’ service including helping many families through end of life care.

The role was purposely created for Mandy Secker by Holbeach and East Elloe Trust which runs the community- led institution.
It’s because of the comfort and work she’s provided to families receiving palliative care for a loved one.
Among the initiatives she’s set up are packs for recently bereaved families and the setting up of a Tree of Life to commemorate those who spend their last days in the hospital.
Manager Julia Scott said: “Mandy has a real passion for providing end of life care.
“Her Care Champion role was created due to her skills and expertise in providing the very best care at the end of patients’ lives and the excellent relationships she demonstrates with families.
“She plays a key role within our organisation in promoting and training staff and created end of life packs to support patient’s families.
“She has the difficult conversations with families about the end of life wishes a patient has and supports them through the process, even after their loved one has passed away, through the creation of a bereavement pack.
“She also arranges flowers to be sent to families on the day of the patient’s funeral and personally sends condolence cards on behalf of the hospital.
“Mandy created our Tree of Life, which stands in reception, and every patient or resident who has passed away is remembered as a leaf on the tree and in a memorial book. Families find this a great comfort after their loved one has passed away.
“The Tree of Life is a very special symbol for Mandy, which is why she chose to have a necklace and earrings in the same design for her gift.”
Julie presented the gifts in front of Holbeach Hospital staff including trustees John Dalton and Paul Johnson.
Business support manager Rebecca Atkinson said: “We wanted to thank Mandy for all her hard work and dedication.
“She is a familiar face to residents and their families old and new and is always on hand with a smile and a can-do attitude.”