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Life & Time Set to Expand Services into Mourne

Life & Time Care, the end-of-life nursing charity, has announced its intention to expand its service area into the Mourne region comprising Atticall, Annalong, Ballymartin, Kilkeel and Longstone.

The Charity and registered nursing agency was first founded in 2018 by Dr Henry McLaughlin, supported by a dedicated voluntary committee, to provide specialist ‘end of life’ on call nursing services initially to families in Warrenpoint, Burren and Rostrevor.

Demand grew and in 2021, the charity expanded their services to Hilltown, Rathfriland and Mayobridge delivered through a network of 46 local nurses.

This latest initiative will see the charity reach into the Mourne area further expanding their footprint of support services.

It is the charity’s aim is to support the family and patient, providing care and symptom control at home, at end of life, in line with what a patient might experience in a hospice or hospital setting. The on-call service operates from 10pm to 8am.

Dr Henry McLaughlin explains: “As awareness grows of the services we provide elsewhere; we’ve had enquiries and requests for support in the Mourne region. We’ve had some initial discussions with GPS in the region and the district nursing team and the feedback has been very positive. 

“Our model is unique; in that it is based on recruiting nurses who live in the local area so that our response rates can be most effective for our ‘on call service’. Through Life & Time, local people care for their own community, so it’s important for us to engage directly with the local community at the outset.

“We’re hosting a series of meetings in Atticall, Kilkeel and Annalong, so that people can find out more about Life & Time Care and how we can support local people in those late-night hours which can often be difficult if you are caring for a loved one at home, at end of life.”

“We’re also keen to hear from local nurses who may be interested in becoming part of our dedicated team of on call nurses,” Henry adds

Information Sessions are open to everyone and are taking place on:

9th August, Atticall GAC Social Club Room, Tullyframe road, Atticall.

24th August, Annalong Community centre, Glassdrumman Road, Annalong.

30th August, Kilmorey Arms Hotel, Greencastle road, Kilkeel.

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Seasons Greetings Cards 2020 Launched!

We would like to present our seasons greetings cards for the 2020 Festive Season. The cards feature exclusive illustrations of the area by the wonderful Piera Cirefice Illustration.
You can buy the cards online NOW and we will also be stocking them in local shops in the coming days!
The cards feature illustrations of Carlingford lough, Cloughmor, the Cairn at Slieve Martin and the view from Kodak corner on Ballynageilty. These are totally unique!
We will release a complete list of shops in the coming days, but they will be in #Rostrevor, #Burren, #Warrenpoint, #Hilltown, #Mayobridge and #Rathfriland for you to purchase at your convenience.
You can buy them here now for Shipping only, Local pickup is not available via the online shop: https://www.lifeandtimecare.org/shop/
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‘Time to Remember’

 
In November, winter is drawing in and the nights get longer and darker . We yearn to be safe at home surrounded by the people closest to us.
 
It is traditionally a month when we remember those that are no longer with us .These people from our past stimulate memories and evoke emotions both happy and sad . They help tell a story and remind us of who we are and where we have been.
 
Lighting a candle has also been a traditional way to help us remember a loved one no longer with us. So for November why not (safely) light a candle in your window in memory of a loved one . Feel free to share a photo on our Social media.
 
We also have some of our Life and Time branded lanterns available for anyone interested: Lanterns
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LIFE & TIME TO EXPAND TO HILLTOWN RATHFRILAND & MAYOBRIDGE AREA

L-R: John McGinn, Life & Time, Dr. Henry McLaughlin, Life & Time, Dr. John Shannon, Rathfriland Health Centre & Connie Connolly, Nursing Manager with Life & Time

Life & Time, the charity which delivers extra ‘End of Life’ care in the Warrenpoint, Burren and Rostrevor region, is preparing to expand its services to the Hilltown, Rathfriland and Mayobridge area.

The plans, still at the inception stage, will mean Life & Time could provide additional end of life care to support terminally ill patients who choose to die at home in the catchment of Rathfriland Health Centre.

Life & Time is a community-led initiative launched in 2018 by retired GP Doctor Henry McLaughlin and a group from the Warrenpoint, Burren, Rostrevor area, following a series of public consultations.

The Charity anticipated a similar public meeting to discuss plans to introduce the service in the Hilltown, Rathfriland and Mayobridge areas but have been hampered by the COVID Pandemic.

John McGinn, a member of the Voluntary Board of Directors, said: “ We’ve been working to expand the reach of the service for some time behind the scenes. The COVID Pandemic has obviously meant a public meeting is not possible but we hope to host a web forum in July to introduce the charity.”

“One of the key elements to bring us closer to delivery of the service on the ground is to recruit nursing professionals, who live locally, who are interested in working with us to support end of life care in the community,” John added.

The Life & Time service model is based on a bank of nursing staff living in the community being ‘on call’ during the hours of 10pm and 8am so they are able to respond  promptly to a patient /family call for support.

Life & Time Nurse Manager Connie Connolly explains: “Recruiting local nurses means Life & Time can respond within 30 minutes to most calls from the family for advice, reassurance and ensure the patient is symptom free.  The nurses who currently deliver services in Warrenpoint, Burren & Rostrevor are on call 1-2 nights a month depending on availability and are reimbursed for their time.

“The fact that our service is delivered by a local person, who in many cases is known to the family, can be hugely reassuring for them in a time of need.”

Once launched, the service can only be accessed by GP referral in consultation with the family.

Doctor John Shannon, GP with the Rathfriland Health Centre, says it’s something he has been keen to see rolled out in the local area.

“I’ve watched with interest the service in our neighbouring towns and villages and have been impressed by its responsiveness and flexible approach to patients, when other out of hours services are stretched.

“It’s providing a very important palliative care service to local communities. It’s quick to access, quick to respond and at its heart, enables local people to address local need. The charity provides the framework  for a community to look after its own, which is to be commended. I look forward to seeing the service become available in this area,” Doctor Shannon adds.

Mr McGinn says the next step for the charity is to host a public web-based information session later this month and begin a recruitment drive for nursing personnel living in the local area. The information session will be designed to facilitate a Q&As and outline how Life & Time delivers palliative care for terminal patients who wish to be at home in their final days.

“The Directors of Life & Time will be hosting a Facebook Live mid-June and would invite everyone in the community who has an interest in the service to follow our  social channels to find out more,” he added.

If you have an questions, or are a nurse interested in working with Life & Time in the Hilltown, Rathfriland and Mayobridge area please follow Life & Time Care on Facebook & Twitter, visit www.lifeandtimecare.org or contact Office 02841180019 Mob 07966935352 or email expressions of interest along with your name and address to [email protected].

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