A SOUTH Essex hospice has produced a DVD, aimed at dispel ing popular misconceptions about hospice care.

St Luke’s Hospice, in Nethermayne, Basildon, says many people are under the impression people only go to hospices to die.

The new DVD explains the work St Luke’s does, with the emphasis on the fact there is much more to its services than simply end-of-life-care.

In the film, patients share their experiences and thoughts, explaining in their own words their initial, unfounded fears and anxieties and how, through St Luke’s, they found support, friendship, fun and hope.

Leighbeth Winters, of Rochester Way, Basildon, is one of those who appeared on the DVD, along with her late husband, Richard, who used to go to St Luke’s day hospice and was also supported by its inpatient unit and the Hospice at Home service before he died.

MrsWinters said: “When it was first suggested Richard could benefit by being in St Luke’s care, we struggled to accept this offer of support, mainly because we were fearful of the word, hospice, and didn’t really understand how it could help us.

“The DVD gives an honest and open account of how we felt. We were truly amazed by the individual care and support we both received.

“It made a big difference to the time we spent together as a couple and with our family.

“I truly don’t know how we would have coped without the support St Luke’s gave us and is still giving me.”

Staff, health professionals and supporters of the hospice are also featured.

The DVD was filmed and produced with the help of John Simms, of Hockley-based technical media company, 2TA.

Volunteers from the community radio station Gateway FMalso helped by recording voiceovers.

Marilyn Debattista, from St Luke’s, said: “The DVD has two main purposes.

“Primarily, it is aimed at reassuring people who have misconceptions about hospice care, who might resist initial offers of support.

It also aims to make sure health professionals know about our wider, and perhaps less wellknown services, so they can refer their patients to us.”

As well as being used by hospice staff, the DVD is being sent to district nurses, GPs and other medical workers and is on sale at the hospice for £2.50.