We need your support to ensure that our expert team are here to care for people in your local community who are facing the end of their lives, helping them maintain their independence and dignity until the very end. Because you care, we can.
Safeguarding is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the person’s wellbeing is promoted.
Overgate Hospice defines abuse as a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to a vulnerable person. Abuse can take many forms and can be perpetrated anywhere by anyone. It can be accidental, as the result of lack of knowledge or understanding, or done with intent to harm. Whatever the circumstances or reason, it is against the law. The term safeguarding means a range of activities aimed at upholding every individual’s fundamental right to be safe from such harm.
Safeguarding is everybody’s business
We all share responsibility to ensure that every person in society is treated with dignity and respect and protected from others who may abuse them. All employees and volunteers of Overgate Hospice who come into contact with patients in the course of their work have a duty of care to safeguard and promote their welfare and to work to prevent, detect and report neglect and abuse.
Someone at risk is someone who:
Abuse can occur anywhere at any time and can be carried out by anyone. It can be a single act, repeated acts over a period of time or due to a failure to act (neglect). It can happen to one person or several people at the same time.
If you are concerned about someone who is a patient of Overgate Hospice or a family member of a patient known to the Hospice, you can discuss your concerns with our Safeguarding Lead Shirley Renwick by calling 01422 379151 or email shirley.renwick@overgatehospice.nhs.uk