Orion Group has generously donated £20,000 to Highland Hospice’s involvement in the End of Life Care Together Partnership, as a tribute to friends lost in recent times. The donation relates particularly to Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club’s long-serving groundsman Tommy Cumming, who died in the care of the Hospice earlier this year.
The End of Life Together Partnership unites organisations across voluntary, health and social sectors who are committed to improving care towards the end of life for all. Led by the Hospice and NHS Highland, and joined by organisations such as Macmillan Cancer Support, Connecting Carers, Marie Curie, Highland Senior Citizens Network and Scottish Care, it serves to identify people’s end of life care preferences earlier and share these with the health and social care providers who will deliver this care.
To progress this work, a 24/7 Palliative Care Helpline has just been launched. Evolved from the NHS Out of Hours Helpline, it provides a single point of access for round-the-clock advice, support and information for patients nearing the end of life, their families, carers and professionals across Highland and Argyll and Bute.
Highland Hospice Chief Executive Officer Kenny Steele recently joined staff from Orion Group on Ben Wyvis to receive their kind donation and celebrate with Deputy Managing Director Ross Macrae as he achieved his final Munro.
Kenny said, “This is an incredibly generous donation from Orion Group, for which we are hugely grateful.”
“We have a strong passion and involvement in the End of Life Care Together Partnership, and significant progress has already been made in supporting more people to be cared for at home where we know most people would wish to be”
“This donation will really help us to progress, as we strive to be able, as a community, to offer a more effective and joined-up care plan to those approaching the end of life.”
Orion Group Managing Director Paul Savage commented, “We’re delighted to continue our support of Highland Hospice and applaud the commitment shown by the team in delivering such important services across the region. In particular, the new Palliative Care Helpline will further enhance the already outstanding offering that is provided to individuals and families.”
“Everyone at Orion Group would like to wish Highland Hospice the best for the future, both in the delivery of its own services - and in working alongside organisations through the End of Life Care Together Partnership.”