The Christie Foundation Trust Annual Report and Accounts 2021-22

Clinical support services

around their beliefs or worldview. Over 2021/22 they have developed protocols to reach out more consistently to patients receiving care in the last days of life, and long stay patients. The chaplaincy team have continued to work on site throughout the pandemic and have initiated regular online mindfulness sessions, in which over 100 staff members have engaged so far. Art Service The art room offers patients, their care givers and our staff the opportunity to spend some time in a supportive and non-clinical safe environment. The service has continued to run remotely throughout lockdown with Zoom art classes for patients and staff. Face-to-face classes have taken place off-site, in preparation for an exhibition in conjunction with the Van Gogh live exhibition in Salford. Complementary health and wellbeing The COVID -19 pandemic has seen the complementary health & wellbeing service revisit its care-pathway for patient support. Stress management and mindfulness techniques, hypnotherapy and use of essential oils in the form of aroma sticks to ‘anchor’ any feeling of relaxation, are now fundamental to each session, both face-to-face and virtual. In addition to the change in process with regard to supporting patients, the team applied for and were given approval to re-purpose some of their charity funding to initiate a free staff service. Those working in patient-facing roles have been undertaking the role of carer and family support, following the Trust making the difficult decision to exclude relatives from the site. Employees required to work from home, were immediately excluded from social contact with colleagues, had to adapt to using their home as an office and often struggled with practical issues relating to technology. The staff service is run on a referral

The waiting area facilities have been improved along with the introduction of beverages. To compliment the Trust’s biosecurity measures, the way in which the interpreter services are delivered has been adapted to ensure footfall across the Trust is minimised and to ensure our patients’ communication needs are met. Working closely with external providers, the telephone on demand interpretation service has been increased to minimise face to face contact and by working closely with the Digital Team, a Video Interpretation Service has been introduced. The Trust is also participating in the Greater Manchester Interpreter Service procurement tender exercise; with the aim to improve services across Greater Manchester. Cancer Information Centre (CIC) During COVID-19. the service has been working remotely utilising phone, email, and social media platforms. It has recently re-opened on site with a skeleton service for two days per week. A key part of the team’s role is to support patients experiencing hair loss through the side effects of treatment, providing them with emotional support, information and advice. The wig service has been operating throughout the pandemic with appointments conducted either remotely or at an off-site salon which has remained open to provide support solely to the Christie patients in a COVID-19 safe way. The Cancer Information Centre has also supported the COVID-19 information line to support patients with COVID-19 enquiries and referring to partner services in Greater Manchester. Chaplaincy The chaplaincy team is committed to supporting patients, carers and staff at a time when they may be experiencing challenges

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