‘People don’t just come here to die’

11:50am Saturday 11th October 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

People who care for and treat the terminally ill were today joining a day of action to make the public more aware of their work.

Manorlands at Oxenhope and Marie Curie Cancer Care in Bradford, were taking part in World Hospice and Palliative Care Day.

At Marie Curie in Maudsley Street, off Leeds Road, the day coincided with the organisation’s 60th anniversary.

At the Sue Ryder Home at Oxenhope staff were celebrating the development of their “holistic” method of treatment.

Their pioneering work has been scrutinised by the Government in setting up its End of Life Strategy aimed at helping terminally-ill people prepare for the end of their lives.

Joanna Longden, senior sister who has worked at Manorlands for 20 years, said: “There is an impression out there that people come to Manorlands just to die, that’s not right.

“We leave it to people’s preference. Most people prefer to be at home with loved ones and to be supported in their home by us.”

One of the latest to arrive is Anthea Brook, 67, of Fyfe Crescent, Baildon, who is being helped to cope with the pain following her operation for kidney cancer and has undergone some complementary therapies.

The retired shop assistant said: “I had massage and reiki to help me relax and see things in perspective. It’s really working.”

The day therapy unit – a satellite version is held once a week at Skipton General Hospital – is run by Julia O’Neill.

“The aim is to make people’s lives as full as possible. We are not looking just at the illness but beyond that,” she said.

“This is a lively and happy place. People say it must be depressing but I want to scream from the rooftops when I hear that and say it is just not like that. I feel privileged to work here – there is a lot of fun and laughter – and it’s a wonderful setting and environment.”