Diamond Divas seek new ‘wizard of the keys’

The Diamond Divas ladies’ choir – which has raised over £40k for the Macmillan Unit hospice – returns to rehearsals next month (Sept) and needs a new pianist to join the team.

The 20-strong choir, based in Highcliffe, has for the last eight years been performing in aid of Macmillan Caring Locally (MCL), the charity which supports the palliative care unit based in the grounds of Christchurch Hospital.

The Diamond Divas’ concerts traditionally take place in care homes, local churches and at WI groups, as well as outside local supermarkets over Christmas.

During lockdown the choir was unable to perform, but simply diversified their talents and continued to fundraise through socially distanced stalls at their front gates and by making reusable facemasks – projects which together have netted over £5000 for the charity.

Choir coordinator Josie Spicer said: “We are ecstatic at the thought of returning to face-to-face rehearsals. We are an extremely sociable and fun group of ladies and we simply love to perform and raise money for the Mac Unit. Unfortunately, our wonderful wizard of the keys Jan Leonard is moving out of the area and while we are able to get by with a recorded accompaniment, there’s nothing quite like singing with a real pianist.”

Josie continued: “Our weekly rehearsals begin again on Wednesday September 8th at Highcliffe Methodist Church, from 7pm and we hope someone will come forward and offer to help.”

Neal Williams, Trust Secretary of Macmillan Caring Locally, said: “The wonderful Diamond Divas spread joy wherever they go and are one of the most prolific fundraisers for MCL. We are thrilled to hear they are getting back to what they do best and hope a new ‘wizard’ will come forward soon.”

Anyone interested in either playing for or singing with the choir can contact them on: 01425 270864.

Please note, the photograph was taken before the pandemic.

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