Good afternoon. The first item of business is time for reflection. Our time for reflection leader today is Carol Telfer, chaplain of Glasgow hospice, Marie Curie.
Thank you for this opportunity to speak.
Marie Curie aims to be a beacon of support for those at the end of their lives, ensuring that they and their families receive the compassion, respect and care that they deserve. The Marie Curie great daffodil appeal takes place every March, marking a significant fundraising campaign to support the vital work of Marie Curie. It has grown to become one of the United Kingdom’s most widely recognised charity campaigns, deeply rooted in community participation. The daffodil pin is not just our symbol; it is recognised as a lifeline for many families and worn as an act of solidarity.
From our in-patient units to our community outreach, staff prepare to cope with any eventuality. Day and night, teams care for patients and their families by giving willingly of themselves where the need for support is greatest. Marie Curie services ensure that our patients receive the nursing and medical treatment they need in a caring, dignified environment, whether in the hospice or at home.
From personalised medical and physical support to psychological, spiritual and emotional care, whatever the illness, at whatever stage of the journey, our aim is to help our patients live the best possible life, right to the end. However, we do not step away at that point but continue to support families in the months ahead through our bereavement service.
A verse in the Bible reminds us to love our neighbours as ourselves, and although we are not a faith-based organisation, this principle of aiming to treat everyone with compassion is key in all that we do. John came to us to have the symptoms of his illness managed. He was experiencing physical and emotional distress. Whilst the medical team worked on his physical symptoms, other professionals worked on his emotional ones.
It transpired that John felt that he had missed the opportunity to marry the love of his life. He wanted to give her security, which would be better provided for her if they were married. Working together as a team, a week later, John was standing in the Marie Curie hospice quiet room, waiting for his bride to arrive. I was privileged to conduct their wedding ceremony in front of patients and staff, who John described as his extended family.
That is just one of many stories that I could share with you. As people engage with the services offered by Marie Curie, that can prove to be a life-changing experience in so many different ways, both today and into the future.
Thank you for your time.
Air adhart
Point of Order