“Notice us and value us” – that’s the message from Holbeach Hospital as it continues to provide healthcare in its own unique way.
The nursing home, which was saved from closure in 1988 after the community took it over from the NHS, continues to provide mainly end-of-life care where its needed in the town.
A recent appeal for more trustees to come forward to help run it has been a success.
At least seven people from the community have volunteered to get on board, an impressive number given they only had five beforehand.
“We couldn’t function without the trustees,” says manager Maxine Welch who has been in nursing for 36 years since she was 17 and has worked at Holbeach for nearly 12 years. “We need to facilitate the whole spectrum of the community in and around Holbeach.
“We’re a hospital run by the community for the community.
“We don’t need to make a profit, but we do need to make a surplus.
“That’s what’s so refreshing about here.
“You do things for the right reasons, because you want to help the patients, not make a profit.
“If we do need something, we can get it too.
“Thanks to the support of the shop and the Friends of Holbeach Hospital we can usually ask for equipment and get it.
“The fact is this is a charity doing the right thing for the right people.
“We’ve got the support of the community and we’re progressive, so we’re looking at ways to plan for the best healthcare for our patients.”
In total there are 47 beds – 12 short term, six funded by the Lincolnshire Care Commissioning Group and six by Lincolnshire County Council’s adult services team.
There’s 97 staff in total with more nurses per patients than there would be in most nursing homes.
But Holbeach Hospital is working to keep one step ahead to make sure it’s delivering the healthcare needed, particular with regards to the ‘requires improvement’ CQC rating given in 2019.
Among the projects being worked on are a partnership with the Lincolnshire Care Association (LINCA) to pilot the delivery of IV treatments on site.
After the Friends of Holbeach Hospital revamped the garden previously, this year four themed beach huts are being erected complete with heating inside for residents.
Re-decorating the day room to make it, and the gardens, more accommodating to all patients among the main projects.
“We’re always looking one step forward,” Mrs Welch said “We’re getting more and more back to the little cottage hospital it was before.
“My message to the people of Holbeach would be notice us and value us. It’s a little gem.
“Many people, particularly the younger generations that might have moved here, don’t know what we do until they or their loved ones need the services.
“Otherwise we have people here who were born here when it was still a maternity ward.
“The staff here are multi-talented and educate each other on various skills.
“Some have been here over 25 years.
“You need a sense of humour to work here but it’s very rewarding.
“There’s quite a buzz around the place at the moment.”
The Voice sat down with 87-year-old patient Janet Penney who has lived in Holbeach her whole life and who as president of the Holbeach Women’s Institute launched a petition to keep the hospital open in 1988.
“It’s very good and the food is excellent,” she said. “They’ve good carers and cleaners, I can’t complain.
“I remember when we set up the petition after they wanted to close it.
“Then we did a song and dance for a few years and all the profits went to the hospital.
“I’m glad it’s been kept open.”
