Stuart Palma, Southern Hospice Group: What matters to you?

I want to ask a simple question: what matters to you?  

The response will be as unique as the person answering, but this is something our hospice teams ask every day when supporting patients and families across Sussex. 

What matters in that moment can be the simplest of things: spending time with a loved one, hearing birdsong in the garden, or just feeling more comfortable. As a result, a patient’s voice is heard and their choices are explored. 

By asking, listening and delivering hospice care in this way, our clinical teams can ensure that the care and support being provided is personalised. When we support patients with ‘what matters to them’, it improves their experience at a time when you might assume choices are limited. The question recognises the person beyond their illness. It connects them back to their own self and encourages their sense of purpose and agency. 

Recently, at our adult hospices, we had two very special 'what matters to you' moments. Many of you will have read about the beautiful Shetland ponies that visited a patient at St Barnabas House. Denise wanted to ‘feel the breath of a horse on her hand one last time’ and our team found a way. The experience created a beautiful and joyful memory in Denise’s final days for her family to treasure. 

We’ve also had weddings. What mattered to these families was having a chance to show their love, no matter how much time was left, and celebrate that alongside their family and friends. 

This winter, we're going to be asking our supporters to 'show their love' for hospice care in a way that matters to them. At the same time, we will keep pressing for more sustainable funding for specialist palliative and end-of-life care from government, too. Together, we can deliver life-changing hospice care, show what matters, and create memories that last.