A DRINKS trolley run by volunteers offers wine and sherry to patients up to twice a day at a Dorchester hospice.

It is just one of the services for in-patients at the Joseph Weld Hospice in Herringston Road in Dorchester.

Patients and staff at the hospice have backed the Dorset Echo and Weldmar Hospicecare Trust’s Show Them You Care Campaign to raise £60,000 to fund a community nurse for a year.

Staff said that the benefit of an aperitif is it increases patients’ appetites, helps create a more homely atmosphere and is enjoyable.

Senior sister Sally-Anne Baverstock at the hospice said: “A booze trolley run by volunteers usually goes around at lunchtime and teatime.

“It offers drinks like wines and sherry and we do have a small amount of spirits here.

“Obviously we want to make a more homely atmosphere and the offer of a drink does increase patients’ appetites if they’re used to it and like it.”

The Joseph Weld Hospice is one of the services provided by Weldmar in Dorset.

Sally-Anne, who has worked for the charity for 10 years and previously worked at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester, is responsible for the day to day running of the inpatient unit.

Her large nursing team of 48 nurses provides a high ratio of nurses-to-patient care in the 18-bed ward.

Sally-Anne said: “Four of those beds are for regular respite care.

“For people who meet the criteria we offer three weeks a year free of charge, to give their carers and family a break.

“That’s 24 hours a day all through the year.”

Sally-Anne said patients and families often appreciated the services provided by the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust after the treatment.

She said: “Sometimes they’re introduced to us at a very sad time and I think a lot of families and carers come back at a later date as volunteers.”

The hospice treats cancer sufferers as well as patients with heart conditions and respiratory diseases.

It is classed as a short-stay unit because the hospice has specialist palliative care beds and has a very high waiting list.

But Sally-Anne said patients were not discharged until their symptoms were under control and stable, plus a home care package had been arranged She said: “People don’t just come here to die.

“Many of the patients come in to get their symptoms under control and go home again.

“It’s not a sad place to work, that’s the biggest thing to remember. It’s very rewarding and lively environment to work in.”

Sally-Anne urged people to back the community nurse appeal, being run by the Dorset Echo and the Weldmar charity and said more people would choose stay at home if they could.

Back our appeal for a nurse

The Dorset Echo and the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust have joined forces for our ‘Show Them You Care’ campaign.

We aim to raise £60,000 to pay for a community nurse for a year. We’ve already raised £1,110 but there’s a long way to go and we need your help to hit the £60,000 target.

We need you to hold fundraising events to help hit the target. Or you could simply donate money on our specially set up Just Giving webpage.

The £60,000 will be used to fund a nurse for a year and pay for all of her support and expenses. Crucially, it would mean even more patients and their families receiving all the support they need, when they need it most. Now it is time to show you care. Donate on the website listed or send donations in by post.

Go online to justgiving.com/weldmarnurse Send cheques payable to ‘The Weldmar Hospicecare Trust’ to the Dorset Echo offices at Fleet House, Hampshire Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XD.

We also want to hear your stories of how Weldmar has helped you and why you think people should support this charity. Call Dorset Echo Weldmar campaign reporter Laura Kitching on 01305 830984.