Today is Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Awareness Day and we thought you might like to know more about how we support our MND patients here at the Hospice.
Meet Sophie, she's been a doctor at the Hospice for over 16 years and has looked after MND patients in the Inpatient Unit, in Day Hospice, and in their homes.
"Motor Neurone Disease affects the nerves in your brain and spinal cord that control what your muscles do. Because of this, patients with MND can experience a variety of different symptoms including problems with mobility, swallowing, speech and breathing.
"MND is a life limiting illness, which is why we work with patients with MND at St Peter's. It can be a very frightening and isolating experience to be diagnosed with MND, and at the Hospice we help explore fears, give emotional and psychological support, and help manage physical symptoms.
"Once referred to the Hospice, patients will be visited at home by our Community Nurse Specialists and will often have input from the wider multidisciplinary team and various Hospice services, all of which aim to help symptom control, and improve quality of life and wellbeing.
"Patients will often form a strong bond with Hospice staff as they may be known to us for many months and even years. We work closely with our colleagues in hospitals as well as with our colleagues in primary care (GPs and District nurses) in looking after patients with MND."
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