SCOTLAND

SINCE it opened in 1996, Rachel House children's hospice in Kinross has provided support for thousands of families.

Light, laughter and care

Run by the Children's Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS), Rachel House was the first such hospice to open in Scotland, and provides much needed help to the families of children who suffer from progressive, life-limiting conditions. Most of the youngsters who attend the hospice - which is celebrating its 10th anniversary - are unlikely to live to adulthood and are dependent on their families to look after them. However, despite the children's conditions, Rachel House is a lively and fun place where children can be cared for and entertained, giving their families time to recharge batteries.

The hospice has a homely feel, with a large lounge complete with a wide-screen television, games consoles, a large fire and a long dinner table so that the families staying can eat together. One family who have benefited from the support provided by the hospice are the Bradleys, from Fife. Eighteen-month-old Hazel Bradley, who has the genetic condition Patau's Syndrome, was referred to Rachel House by a community nurse.

Her mother, Alison, said it was hard to accept help at first as she wanted to care for her daughter alone. "I was apprehensive because it was a step towards accepting our situation as a family with Hazel," she said. "I had heard a lot about the hospice, but I didn't know what to expect." Alison said she visited the hospice with Hazel and her two other children, Rachael (14) and Mathew (12), and was surprised by what they found. "We were totally blown away by how friendly and caring it was," said Alison. "It's just like being at home with your family and friends, but you don't have to do the housework."

Rachel House offers families and parents like Alison the chance to take a break from the high level of care which they have to provide for their children 24 hours a day. "Coming to Rachel House is really relaxing and gives me an opportunity to recharge my batteries and be sure that Hazel is being looked after." said Alison. "I didn't think I would be able to let her stay by herself but I can. It takes all my responsibility away and lets me be myself for a bit."

The staff at the hospice include nurses, physiotherapists, play specialists, social workers, occupational therapists, youth workers and care assistants. Debbie Manning, who has worked as a care team member at the hospice for over six years, said she knew the job was for her the minute she saw it. "I saw the job advertised when I was working as a nurse in a children's ward," she said. "It just said something to me.

There was nothing like Rachel House anywhere else in Scotland at the time and so it was a unique opportunity." Debbie said that while there were sad moments, the good times vastly outnumbered the bad. "There are very sad times in the house, but more often than not it's a happy place to be," she added. "The children are very positive and when you go into the lounge there is a lot of play and laughter." Care team members work 12-and-a-half-hour shifts, which allows them to get the children up in the morning, spend the day with them and put them to bed at night.

Debbie said this was a great way of working as it let her plan entire days with the children and arrange special trips. The hospice has two vans which regularly take the children on trips to places like safari parks, the cinema and Deep Sea World. More recently, Debbie and other members of staff went to T in the Park with a group of older children, some of whom got to meet a few of the acts.

The pleasure which Debbie gets from her job is no doubt the reason why parents such as Alison Bradley sing the praises of Rachel House and is perhaps testament to the importance of CHAS and its hospices. "It's a very rewarding job and the opportunity to give the level of one-to-one care that we do is second to none," said Debbie "I don't think I could see myself working anywhere else."

31 July 2006

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