The language we use
A Bit of a Break Glossary
What we mean by palliative diagnosis
People who are referred to A Bit of a Break have been diagnosed with a condition for which there is no absolute cure and from which, sadly, they will ultimately die. This is what we mean by a palliative diagnosis. There is no timescale attached – it might be many months or years before they pass away. We have sometimes talked about ‘living with a terminal illness’ but prefer the idea of ‘living with a palliative diagnosis’ because nowadays there are so many management options that help people to stay well for much longer. Most of our patients will have cancer, a neurological condition such as Motor Neurone Disease or a life-limiting cardiac or respiratory condition.
Why we use the words patient and guest interchangeably
People referred to A Bit of a Break are someone’s patient as they come through the health/care route due to their diagnosis and illness. Through the process of us offering them a suitable property for their break we start to see them as our guests. To the owners of holiday properties in which they stay they are always thought of as guests.
Who we mean by our referrers
Referrers are the health and care professionals/providers who we have invited to select and refer patients to our service. We would love to offer a free break to everyone with a palliative diagnosis but have insufficient funds or holiday properties to do this. Limiting our service to our nominated referrers keeps things manageable, avoids lengthy waiting lists and helps to avoid disappointment which can happen if properties can’t be found soon enough.
Our present nominated referrers are:
| Organisation/service | Base | Serving clients in |
| Carers Resource | Bradford, Harrogate and Skipton | Airedale, Wharfedale, North and West Bradford and Craven |
| Carers Plus | Northallerton | North Yorkshire |
| Calderdale ASS Palliative Care Team | Halifax | Calderdale area |
| Marie Curie Hospice, Bradford | Bradford | Bradford area |
| Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice | Oxenhope, Keighley | Airedale, Wharfedale, Craven and North Bradford |
| Macmillan Community Support (Harrogate) | Harrogate | North Yorkshire |
| Macmillan Community Support (Hull, Grimsby & Scunthorpe) | Hull | Hull, Grimsby & Scunthorpe |
| Macmillan Community Support (Central and North Manchester Hubs) | Manchester | Manchester |
| Macmillan Community Support (North Mersey) | Liverpool | Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens, and Liverpool |
| Willowbrook Hospice | Liverpool | St Helens & Knowsley |
| Woodlands Hospice | Liverpool | North Liverpool, South Sefton, and Kirkby in Knowsley |
What we mean by property partners
Our model is that we source unfilled time in holiday accommodation which is donated free of charge by the owners of the property. Sometimes a booking agent is also involved. Without their generosity we would not be able to operate in this way so we see owners and agents as genuine partners. We appreciate our Property Partners role and thank them by featuring them on our website, giving them shout-outs on social media and making a donation to cover the cost of owners’ cleaning, laundry and utility bills.