Increased capacity of the Home Hospice and the fact that we don't have to deny patients care, are the biggest benefits of this unique Cesta domů service. Basic symptom management and the development of a plan for future care that is consistent with the wishes of the patient and their loved ones is often enough to keep the family manageable and spare the patient from frequent transfers to the hospital. When the condition worsens and the terminal phase of the disease is indicated, the patients then seamlessly transitions into the care of Cesta domů Hospice and dies as they wish in peace, at home, surrounded by family and loved ones.

In Ambulance, applicants for various forms of health service are triaged and, according to their current need, a timely visit by a palliative doctor is scheduled directly to the patient's home. The patient then remains in ambulance care for perhaps several months, with repeat visits if necessary. Ambulance nurses coordinate doctors visits and other Cesta domů services based on communication with caregivers or recommend other external services the family can use.

Funding from private donors is essential for the operation of the Ambulance. The service is provided free of charge to patients under health insurance. However, health insurance only covers medical procedures performed by a doctor. The running of the Ambulance relies mainly on the work of the nurses, who are the liaison between the patient and his/her family and the doctor. Their work is extremely demanding, very often requiring telephone crisis intervention to communicate with distraught clients and their loved ones.

The Ambulance's budget in 2023 was CZK 4,250,000. Insurance companies will pay approximately CZK 850 000 of this. The rest we have to raise from our donors.

The Cesta domů Palliative Outpatient Clinic is a unique service that is missing from other home hospices or is a paid service. By funding the Ambulance from private sources, we are able to run the service to offer care free of charge and to the extent that patients need it, and to support carers and loved ones where necessary.

We try to make life bearable and meaningful even in the last moments. It wouldn't be possible without donors. We appreciate every donation and every vote of confidence. Donations make up half of all income for Cesta domů.

Thank you so much for your time and support.

"A distraught lady calls the Ambulance because her mother is dying with a cancer diagnosis. The ER ambulance car left the family a short while ago and arrived due to a rapid deterioration in health. Mom is in a lot of shortness of breath and pain. The family doesn't want to take her to the hospital, they don't know what to do, they are desperate. It's before the weekend and unfortunately we don't have the capacity to admit her. We manage to at least quickly arrange an acute outpatient visit with the understanding that we will arrange medication for the sick woman for the weekend and discuss everything necessary with the caring daughter. After arriving at the family's home, we first help the daughter with general care of the mother at the bedside, insert a subcutaneous cannula and prepare injectable medications, called SOS medication, in case of impaired breathing, pain, and other possible difficulties. We're also putting on an opioid patch. Then, in the next room, the doctor and her daughter talk about the fragility of mum's condition, there is probably not much time left, the lady cries, we offer a supportive phone call with our colleagues from our counselling room and then we slowly say goodbye. During the day, we make several more calls with the caring daughter, clarifying medication over the phone. The next day, the lady calls to say that her mother has died peacefully in her sleep during the night. She thanks us for our visit, it is very important to her that her mother could die at home among her loved ones and not suffer pain."

Translated with DeepL

Translated with DeepL