I recently visited Myton Hospice in Warwick. There are Myton hospices in Coventry, Rugby and Warwick, together with nursing teams that care for people in their own homes. Myton offers specialist care to anyone with a terminal illness aged 18 years and over and registered with a GP in Coventry and Warwickshire.
Myton is undoubtedly a special place where staff look at the people rather than just their illnesses and there is a focus on spending quality time with family and loved ones. They understand that care is not just about medicine; sometimes holding someone’s hand or listening to their stories can make the biggest difference.
Many individuals and families can benefit from access to services and hospices like Myton, but many are unclear about what hospices are and what they can offer.
Crucially, Myton is not just about end of life care; they are about living well for longer, from the point of diagnosis. A significant proportion of patients are discharged from Myton after a stay in their Inpatient Unit.
Not all patients have cancer. Myton provide care for people with a wide range of terminal illnesses including Respiratory conditions, Heart conditions, Parkinson’s, Renal failure and Motor Neurone Disease.
Finally, all services are provided free of charge. Myton is close to the hearts of many who live in my constituency and further afield and is incredibly grateful to supporters who work tirelessly to raise funds for this worthy cause. During the festive season, special events include ‘Light up a life’, where you can dedicate a light on a tree in memory of a loved one, and the ‘Santa Dash’ on Sunday 10 December – where all runners receive a free santa suit!
Sadly, life limiting and terminal illnesses don’t stop for Christmas – and neither do hospices like Myton. As we start the countdown to Christmas, it is a sobering thought that many families are preparing to spend their final Christmas with a loved one, or their first without them. Myton has helped many local families navigate this journey and Coventry and Warwickshire are lucky to have it.