Diamond Divas £50k

Divas’ dazzling decade delivers £50k to hospice

Highcliffe-based choir Diamond Divas are celebrating after reaching a £50k fundraising milestone for the Macmillan Unit hospice at Christchurch Hospital. The ‘Divas’ pledged to support the Unit 10 years ago and since then, every performance, concert and care home appearance has generated funds for the hospice.

Choir co-ordinator Josie Spicer said: “Reaching £50,000 was a very proud moment for us all. Not least because during the last few years under Covid we were unable to perform, but carried on raising money by selling jams, pickles, plants and books at the front gates of various members and with the ongoing support of other local groups.

“To celebrate our £50k milestone, we held a Coffee Morning – fundraising of course! – in the garden of one of our members. More than 80 choir members past and present, our families, friends and supporters helped us make the event a great success, raising a total of over £1300 in just two hours. The cake stall sold out and the plants, books and craft stalls sold well. And the raffle raised £525, thanks to the many local businesses who supplied us with very generous prizes. The choir also performed a short programme, accompanied by Terry Hayden on his keyboard.”

This time last year, the Divas were desperately seeking a pianist after their Musical Director Jan Leonard moved out of the area.

Josie said: “We were so afraid that the choir would have to fold. But along came local pianist Terry Hayden who was kindly prepared to give up his time to help us and we haven’t looked back.”

A cheque of £1,385, the Divas latest fundraising donation, was presented to Neal Williams, Trust Secretary of the charity, by choir member Hazel Lovegrove at the celebratory coffee morning.

Neal said: “It’s difficult to put into words the appreciation we feel for the Diamond Divas. They have been by our side through thick and thin for a decade, continually giving their time, their energy and their beautiful voices to help the Unit. Their support is something we truly treasure.”

Diamond Divas will sing and entertain any club/group/organisation in return for a donation for Macmillan Caring Locally. The choir programme comprises light-hearted music. Every penny raised goes to the charity and the choir covers its own expenses.

Diamond Divas is also interested in hearing from potential new members. Rehearsals will commence on Sept 21 at 7pm, at the Methodist Church Hall in Highcliffe. To book the Diamond Divas or for more information phone: 01425 280367 or 01425 270864.

List of pharmacies 

 Pharmacy name and address

Phone Number

100 hour pharmacy

 Locality

Asda Pharmacy

St Pauls Road, Bournemouth,BH8 8DL

01202 298900

Yes

Bournemouth East

Castle Lane Pharmacy
482 Castle Lane West Bournemouth, BH8 9UD

01202 772110

Yes

Bournemouth West

Ferndown Pharmacy
487 Ringwood Road, Ferndown, BH22 9AG

01202 892666

Yes

East Dorset

Tesco Extra Pharmacy
Yarrow Road, Mannings Heath Poole, BH12 4NX

01202 457447 or 01202 367447

Yes

Parkstone

Asda Pharmacy
West Quay Road, Poole, BH15 1JQ

01202 207000

Yes

Poole Central

Equipment – www.redcross.org.uk Is useful for wheelchairs and other equipment

Guide for people nearing end stage of life : https://intranet.rbch.nhs.uk/uploads/palliative/documents/What-to-Expect.pdf

Brief Drugs List for GPs

 

Pain/breathlessness:

Morphine sulphate 2.5-5mg SC PRN (10mg in 1ml injection)

(alternative if taking PO or eGFR<30 – Oxycodone 1 – 2.5mg SC PRN (10mg in 1ml injection))

[Please take background opioid into account when prescribing doses for anticipatories]

Anxiety/distress:

Midazolam 2.5-5mg SC PRN (10mg in 2ml injection)

Secretions:

Glycopyrronium 200mcg SC PRN (600mcg in 3ml injection)

(alternative for secretions: Hyoscine Butylbromide 20mg/ml injection)

Nausea :

Levomepromazine 6.25mg SC PRN (25mg in 1ml injection)

(alternative for nausea: Haloperidol 1.5mg SC PRN (5mg in 1ml injection)

Water for injection

Dexamethasone 3.3mg SC OD-BD (equivalent to 4mg PO) if risk of steroid withdrawal/Addisons during terminal phase.

Day/Time Example Timetable
Monday - AM

9am MMU Ward Hand over; 9:30am Tour of MMU

10m Consultant Ward Round, MMU

Monday - PM

12pm Ward Nurses - syringe driver administration (treatment room)

1:30 Nursing Handover – MMU (ward office)

MMU – Admission Assessment(s) with ward doctor

Tuesday - AM

9am Ward Hand over

9:20am Referrals Meeting on MMU

10am Community visiting with Specialist Nurse

Tuesday - PM

12:30 Journal Club – MMU (doctors office)

2pm Introduction to Patient and Family Support Team

3pm Introduction to Welfare and benefits Advisor

Wednesday - AM

9am Ward Hand over

9:20am Referrals Meeting on MMU

10am Consultant ward round - MMU

Wednesday - PM

2pm Doctor/Nurse Home Visit with Specialty Doctor

Thursday - AM

9:15am Multi-Disciplinary Team Meeting on MMU

Thursday - PM

2pm Introduction to Palliative Rehabilitation with Physiotherapist

3pm Introduction to Complex Discharge Planning in terminal illness

Friday - AM

Hospital Palliative Care Team Ward Visits

Friday - PM

2pm Introduction to Personalised Care Plan for the Last Days of Life with End of Life Care Nurse

4pm Debrief / sign off