2020, what a year!

COVID-19 has had a considerable impact on us all and despite the challenges, we continue to care for those with life limiting conditions along with those who are COVID-19 positive.

Throughout the pandemic we have continued to treat patients and, whilst we have had to limit visiting in line with guidance and common sense, we have still been able to safely support families of those in our care, albeit in many cases by telephone or online.

As we look back, some things will stay long in our memory. The fantastic support of our community, with food, flowers, equipment, masks and perhaps most importantly of all, with love.

We thank our supporters for taking part in events, not quite as planned, but you did it your way. You ran, you jumped out of planes, you knitted, you sewed, you baked and you raised money for the Hospice. We are so grateful.

We would like to give a special mention to our clinical staff – the nurses and doctors who have worked throughout this terrible year, looking after our patients with kindness and compassion. Our Facilities team who have kept the Hospice clean and safe, and the backroom staff – many working from their homes while juggling childcare – who help keep St Joseph’s running.

As we come to the end of the year, there is a glimmer of light that should see the end of COVID-19’s hold on us as a number of vaccines come on stream.

We still have some hard miles to travel before we are free of this terrible virus, but as a community we will beat this together.

Happy New Year to you all and we hope to see you soon.

Tony McLean