The community teams supported Martin Lowe at his Colehill home for a year before his death in August.

Martin suffered with the degenerative neurological disease Multiple Systems Atrophy.

His nominated community matron, Julie Halliwell, linked in with various health care teams to ensure his needs and wishes were followed.

The overall care and support was so valued that Martin’s daughter Rhian Lowe and a friend cycled 100 miles to raise funds as a special ‘thank-you’ gesture. It generated £1,200.

Rhian and her mum, Heather, bought a new coffee machine (with coffee beans) for the hub, and donated cash to share between all Trust teams involved in Martin’s care – including speech and language therapy, wheelchair services and the community neurology team.

The money will be used for the teams to enjoy an event together.

“Our team was extremely sad when Martin passed away and our thoughts will always be with the family,” said community matron Julie Halliwell. “For us, it was a privilege to have been able to provide Martin the best care possible at the end of his life, as well as be there for his family during what was a tough time for all.”

Rhian said: “We were very fortunate as a family to be supported by such an amazing community nursing team, who were always there when we or Dad needed anything. Since his passing they have also been a shoulder to lean on. We raised the funds to thank the team, so they could have a celebration on Dad.”

The East Dorset Hub provides access to a network of community clinicians, social care teams and voluntary sector professionals, ensuring patients in the local community get the right support at the right time explained Julie Halliwell.

For further information about Dorset HealthCare, visit www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk