Art Exhibition By North Surrey Artists Group At Barbers Gallery Woking
Woking & Sam Beare Hospices extend a warm welcome to their new team member, Caroline Hodgson.
Caroline has taken up the newly created position of Social Worker within the hospices.
Caroline began her Social Work career in Hertfordshire County Council and has most recently worked for Surrey County Council’s Integrated Care Team, ensuring that all patients undergoing palliative care are well supported and have access to the correct care package for their individual needs.
A social worker acts as an intermediary between the patients and the services they need access to. They can inform and support patients with their choices, their role is to act as the facilitator in the decision making process. Amongst other areas of social work, Caroline has experience in a hospital and community setting of mental capacity, Deprivation of Liberty, access to fast track continuing healthcare funding and financial support, discharge planning and safeguarding. She has supported patients through challenging circumstances such as Preferred Priorities of Care and aided patients with Advanced Care Planning as they consider choices for their End-of-Life care, and beyond.
Director of Nursing, Jayne Cooper, explains:
“Ever more complex caseloads and a growing number of people utilising hospice services, has seen the role of in-house Social Worker become increasingly common in the hospice environment. Setting up this new position within Woking & Sam Beare requires a great depth of knowledge and expansive experience. Caroline is exceptionally well qualified for the job and we are thrilled that she has accepted the position. We are excited by the opportunities that this new role, supported by Macmillan, will afford our palliative care team and the people they help.”
Caroline speaks about her appointment in the position:
“This role is a superb addition to the already priceless Hospice services and I am very excited to have been given the chance to share my knowledge and expertise with my new team. Traditionally the duties of a social worker here have been delegated amongst hospice staff such as Counsellors, Nurses and Community teams. I am looking forward to being the person who can link all departments and alleviate the administrative burden from hospice front line staff so that they can focus even more of their attention onto the provision of care.”
To find out more about what the new Social Work position offers, visit www.wsbhospices.co.uk/socialwork
