Mary Ann Evans Hospice
SENIOR MEDICS RAISE £21,000 FOR MARY ANN EVANS HOSPICE
Consultant Respiratory Physician Peter Handslip and Bob Grieve, a retired Professor of Oncology, have returned from a gruelling trek to Everest base camp where they raised over £21,000 for The Mary Ann Evans Hospice in Nuneaton.
The pair, based at the George Eliot Hospital and University Hospital in Coventry respectively, were among a group of 20, including 13 medics, who climbed 17,000 ft over 13 days to support the hospice’s new Rapid Response Team.
Eighteen of the group completed the trek, raising more than £52,000 between them for the hospice.
Speaking of his experience during the trek, Peter said: “At times there was an almost continuous stream of very large yaks, one of which charged across the track at 30 to 40 mph. We were
also overtaken by a very large door, only to find there was a small man carrying it downhill!
“The mountain scenery was majestic and awe inspiring – it was a great privilege to be surrounded by the world’s highest mountains. On reaching Everest base camp there was huge relief, celebration and much hugging.”
Responding within one hour of a call, the Rapid Response Team was established to provide end-of-life care to terminally ill patients, allowing them to die in their own homes.
Set up nine months ago, the team, made up of nurses and senior health care assistants, treats the patients in the last 72 hours of their lives, helping to avoid any unnecessary admissions to hospital.
Bob said the results since the introduction of the Rapid Response Team had been heartwarming, with a major reduction in the number of patients being admitted to hospital in their final hours or days, and the vast majority being able to die in comfort at home.
The service has now been extended to cover both day and night and to cover Rugby patients.
Peter added: “We are so proud of the group for making it and for raising £52,000 for this crucial service.”
Anyone else who would like to make a donation can sponsor by logging on to http://www.justgiving.com/Peter-Handslip
