How do you explain what it’s like to be a Hospice patient to a bunch of 16 and 17 year olds?
LOROS has been doing just that this week with its Hospice School, where young people have been learning how to view life from a patient’s perspective.
As well as feeding and brushing each other’s teeth, the students learnt how to empty a catheter and met patients.
Amy, who hopes to apply to medical school later this year, said “It’s been really great to properly know what it’s like at a hospice.
“I’ve done some work experience before at a hospital and found we were kept well away from practical tasks. This was really hands on and I’ve learnt a lot.
“I didn’t know much about hospice care,” said Hannah, who aims to study nursing later this year.
“But LOROS really treats people as individuals and I think that’s really important.”
“It’s been really helpful to talk to Hospice staff,” added Freya. “The tasks also help us work together which is another useful skill.”
The students even discussed healthy stools using a chart of different chocolate bars to illustrate consistency - including Maltesers, Lion Bar and Toffee Crisp.
Donna Walker, who teaches on the Hospice School course, said, “The alternative stool chart is a fun way of raising awareness of health issues such as constipation.
“Students are also encouraged to recognise signs of dehydration by observing the contents of the catheter drainage bags – which are actually filled with apple juice!”
“The young people have been great and are really interested to learn.”
LOROS runs Hospice School each year to give young people who are interested in a career in health and social care knowledge and understanding of caring for patients.
