07:30 | The Morning Briefing
As Bethlehem begins to stir, our nurses gather at the BCHT office in the Parish Centre of St Catherine’s Church, situated just off Manger Square. Over strong coffee and warm greetings, the atmosphere is focused.
The team reviews the day’s patient list, sharing vital updates and discussing priorities. By 08:15, the teams are mobilized: Mohammad and Hidaya head out as a pair, while Helen sets off with Rand, our specialist physiotherapist. Meanwhile, Tamer, our nurse coordinator, stays on pulse – joining teams for complex cases, assessing new referrals, and troubleshooting emerging issues across the region.
Clinical Care on the Move
Each team typically completes four home visits a day, often traveling to surrounding towns and villages. The work is as varied as it is unpredictable. On any given morning, a nurse may transition from:
- Symptom Management: Tending to acute pain, breathlessness, or nausea.
- Complex Wound Care: Treating pressure sores – a common and painful complication of long-term illness – to restore a patient’s comfort.
- Practical Support: Managing catheter issues or simplifying complex medication schedules for overwhelmed families.
More Than Medicine:
The Power of Presence
Beyond the clinical tasks, the emotional weight of hospice care is where our team truly shines. In one home, Mohammadmay spend an hour simply listening to a patient struggling with the loss of their independence. In another, Helen acts as a teacher, empowering a family to feel confident in their role as caregivers once the team leaves.
Rand’s physiotherapy input is equally vital. For bed-bound patients, gentle passive movements reduce stiffness, while simple breathing exercises can provide a rare sense of agency and relief. Small gains – a patient sitting up more comfortably or sleeping through the night – are celebrated as major victories.
Education and Advocacy
Our nurses are often the bridge between a frightening diagnosis and a family’s peace of mind. They act as advocates, explaining medical treatments in plain language and guiding families through the difficult decisions that come with end-of-life care. From mouth care and hydration to proper positioning, no detail is too small if it improves a patient’s quality of life.
14:30 | Reflection and Readiness
By early afternoon, the teams return to the Hospice office. This is a critical time for:
- Documentation: Ensuring every detail is recorded for continuity of care.
- Multidisciplinary De-briefing: Tamer leads a session for the team to reflect on what went well and what was challenging.
- Continuous Learning: A quick teaching moment might follow, focusing on the latest techniques in symptom assessment or psychological support.
By 15:30, the nurses head home. The day is physically demanding and emotionally intense, yet deeply meaningful.
This is the essence of Hospice at Home: skilled clinical care delivered with profound humanity. Every mile driven and every hand held is a reminder that even in the face of serious illness, no one in Bethlehem should be forgotten.
Help us keep our nurses on the road.
