Kershaw's Caring Hands to host one stop shop

Dr Kershaw's Caring Hands

Dr Kershaw's Hospice is to hold a second recruitment day for its new ‘Caring Hands’ community care initiative.

A first event in December went down well and interest in both the Home Care Co-ordinator role and in joining the bank of Community Health Care Assistants was encouraging.

However, senior staff at the Royton hospice realise that the first event was at a busy time for many in the run-up to Christmas and the demand for more information about the new services has prompted a second ‘One-Stop-Shop’ event which will be held at the Turf Lane hospice’s Café K on Saturday, 13 January, starting at 11am.

Staff plan to give information about the new service, help fill out application forms and confirm interview dates.

Adele Doherty, Clinical Matron, said: “We know from what people have been telling us that many wanted to come to the December event but were just too busy. Now that the New Year is here, we want to give people the opportunity to join what will be a very dedicated team in delivering a worthwhile service to those who need it most.”

Adele has also asked people who have submitted electronic applications via the Hospice website to telephone 0161 624 2727 to speak to her or Lindsey Harper to check that the application has been received and processed.

“We have had two major computer system failures in the last couple of weeks that have caused issues with our emails.

“We have been made aware that some emails have not been received and we certainly want to make doubly-sure that all applicants are given every opportunity to join us.”

The new community care scheme is fully-funded for the one-year pilot and Joanne Sloan, Deputy Chief Executive at Dr Kershaw’s, is confident that by maintaining the high standards of the Hospice ‘Kershaw’s Caring Hands’ can follow in the footsteps of ‘Hospice at Home’ as an essential service for the community of Oldham.

“We will begin the pilot scheme once we have the right people in place. We will recruit suitable staff to provide the highest standards of individual care and our hospice’s not-for-profit setup will ensure that all the funds received are invested in high-quality staff.

“Recruited staff will receive a programme of training, incorporating all core mandatory training and a certificated of care, to ensure our staff are trained to a high standard to provide excellent quality of care for patients.”

Applicants unable to attend the One-Stop Shop are asked to telephone for an application form or to collect one from the Hospice reception.