“Our world hasn’t stopped because of coronavirus.”

While the current pandemic has changed so much about life as we knew it, people living with other life-limiting illnesses still need care and support.

Mountbatten Hampshire has responded to the increasing need to support people by extending its Community Hub helpline, meaning it is available between 8am and 8pm, while out of hours calls are supported by doctors and nurses working on the inpatient unit.

The hub puts people known to Mountbatten directly in touch with our Community Team and is staffed by two Mountbatten Nurses (Clinical Nurse Specialists), an administrator and Mountbatten Carer (Community Support Worker).

“For us, it is business as usual because we have hundreds of people living across Southampton and west Hampshire who really need us,” said Dee Curless, Consultant Nurse at Mountbatten.

“Coronavirus is a big worry to people, particularly those already vulnerable and if anything, their need is greater now than ever and we have to respond, so to have someone at the end of a phone to offer advice or simply some reassurance is hugely important."

While lots of advice can be given over the phone, a considerable number of home visits by Mountbatten Nurses continue, despite the current crisis.

“Our team are just getting on with it as best as possible,” said Dee.

“They are a hugely passionate group who work to make a difference to people, and while we are having to adapt to the challenges presented by coronavirus, we will keep doing that to the best of our ability.”

Dee has also been providing daily clinical advice to medical professionals in the NHS and other partners across Southampton on symptom control for unwell patients.

Because of your donations to our coronavirus appeal, we can keep supporting people at home living with life-limiting conditions. Your donations mean we can be there for anyone who calls with a problem. Your donations mean we can continue this work beyond the coronavirus pandemic. Thank you.

To support our appeal, please click on Urgent Coronavirus Appeal