Our multi professional team
The hospice is supported by an experienced medical team including: medical director, consultants and hospice doctors. Many cover across the hospital and hospice sites.
The hospice is happy to support placement opportunities for trainee and junior doctors.
Our team includes:
- Nurses
- Doctors
- Consultants
- Counsellors
- Complementary Therapists
- Physiotherapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Volunteers
- Education service
- Bereavement team
A number of staff based at the hospice are employed by other organisations. This includes:
- Physiotherapist
- Occupational therapist
- Dietitian
- Speech and Language Therapist
- Social Worker
Meet the teams
Hospice Nurse Specialists
The team have specialist knowledge and skills in palliative care and support patients at an advanced stage of their illness. They assess a patient’s needs and advise patients, GPs and District Nurses on how to manage symptoms such as pain, sickness and breathlessness. The team also provide emotional support and help patients plan for their future care needs. They can give information relating to an illness and advise on support services available.
Lisa Taylor started work at the hospice in 2004 on the Inpatient Unit. In 2009 she joined our Hospice Nurse Specialist team which provides specialist hospice care to patients in their own homes.
"I feel honoured to care for the people of Wigan and Leigh," said Lisa.
Hospice in Your Home
Our Hospice in Your Home service is provided by a team of Nurses, Healthcare Assistants and Volunteers. The team offers one-to-one time with patients and gives practical as well as emotional support alongside hands-on nursing care, including daytime visits and occasional overnight stays. By providing additional support in this way the team help to enable more people to stay in their own homes as they come towards the end of their lives.
Inpatient Unit
On the inpatient unit there are over 40 staff comprising of nurses, healthcare assistants, doctors and receptionists. The team works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and plays a crucial part in the delivery of specialist palliative care for patients and families on our 14 bed unit. During the evenings and overnight period, calls to the 24 Hour Advice Line are handled by our inpatient unit nursing team.
Yvonne Tague, Senior Staff Nurse, said: “I always work nights and it’s a challenge but what makes it special is having that time to listen to patients. Patients are often awake at night and want to talk to you. You build up a relationship with them and listen. I hold their hands when they are scared. What makes a difference is often the little things – giving them a hand massage, giving them your attention.
"There’s nothing nicer than knowing you have done everything you can for that person. Patients are at the centre of everything I do and there is a contentment achieved knowing that you’ve done something – no matter how small – to help somebody.”
Keeley Eccleston, Staff Nurse, said: "I started in June 2021 as I wanted a complete change & the chance to care for patients holistically, getting to know them and their families.
"I have joined a fantastic team and every day is different. I've learnt so much and plenty of new skills in just a short time; education is really important here.
I feel valued and privileged to work here. It is the most challenging but most rewarding job I've ever done."
Read Sarah's story.
Hospice In Your Care Home
The Hospice in your Care Home team works in partnership with care settings including nursing and residential homes, extra care and learning disability services to enhance the care of residents in the last few weeks and days of life with the aim of promoting comfort and dignity. The team is made up of experienced registered nurses and health care assistants.
Amanda Isherwood, Senior Educator, said: "I joined the Hospice in your Care Home team in 2015 and believe in the importance of education.
"I love having the opportunity to make a difference and knowing the training I delivered today will improve someone’s end of life care.
"I am excited to be part of this new service to meet emerging needs and local palliative and end of life care priorities."
Wellbeing Services
The Wellbeing Services team includes a number of services.
The counselling and complementary therapy services support both patients with a palliative diagnosis and those people closest to them. We also offer bereavement support.
Income Generation
The Income Generation team is made up of our retail team, our fundraising team and our lottery team. The fundraising team run a calendar of events throughout the year and organise other fundraising initiatives. They work closely with business, schools and the local community to generate funds. The retail team look after our shops, online sales and the reception shop. They also support around 400 volunteers who run our shops. The team is also made up of drivers who collect and deliver furniture to shops and customers’ homes.
Other teams
Other teams include: HR and Volunteering; Reception; Finance; IT; Admin; PR & Communications and Facilities Management.
The Macmillan Allied Health Professionals Team is also based at the hospice.
Volunteers
We are supported by around 600 volunteers who assist in a wide range of roles both within the hospice and out in the community.