Always there

We catch up with Cornwall Hospice Care’s Chief Executive, Paul Brinsley, who tells us how this resilient Cornish charity has navigated these most difficult of times.

For the Cornwall Hospice Care clinical teams, the last few months have, as you might expect, been a huge challenge. But as Paul Brinsley, the charity’s Chief Executive tells us: “I’m proud to say our key workers have kept our hospices open 24/7 throughout the current pandemic.”

“I’m proud to say our key workers have kept our hospices open 24/7 throughout the current pandemic” – Paul Brinsley

Indeed, the Cornish healthcare charity has continued to admit terminally ill patients in need of specialist help and support, with its 20 intensive care beds constantly full. “Sadly, for some we’ve had to provide end-of-life care,” explains Paul, “but for others, we’ve been able to stabilise their symptoms and get them back to their own homes or care homes. We’ve also been able to support our NHS colleagues by providing a service that helps take the pressure off them at such a difficult time.”

Helped by a government grant – sourced via Hospice UK and provided to all hospices to ensure the continued provision of their frontline services – Paul tells us: “It’s helped us survive at a time when all our shops have been closed and our fundraising activities drastically reduced because of the Covid-19 restrictions. Going forward, we’re going to need people’s help more than ever as we plan our recovery.”

It’s true: Cornwall Hospice Care faces a long uphill struggle to survive, which is why Paul is appealing to all the charity’s supporters to visit its shops when they open; to support its ongoing virtual fundraising events and to play the charity lottery.

Unfortunately, the pandemic hit as Cornwall Hospice Care was beginning to celebrate its 40th anniversary. David Renwick, Volunteer Chair of Trustees explains: “It couldn’t have come at a worse time. We had to postpone our anniversary events that were planned to improve awareness of our charity and raise vital funds. We will resurrect some in 2021, more especially our record attempt at the World’s Biggest Cream Tea Party. Now,” David continues, “is a time to reflect, to plan our recovery and to praise our staff and volunteers who’ve remained committed throughout this dreadful period in all our lives. I’m incredibly proud of everyone for their dedication and support.”

“I can’t pretend we aren’t facing more difficult times as we start on the road to recovery,” concludes Paul, “but families in Cornwall facing terminal illnesses are relying on us and I hope we can all pull together to ensure we are always there for them.”

Cornwall Hospice Care

01726 839156

www.cornwallhospicecare.co.uk