The board of trustees of the Michael Sobell Hospice Charity have announced plans to hold meetings with supporters, volunteers, staff and the wider community.
The move comes after the inpatient service was relocated to the main block at Mount Vernon Hospital where the hospice is based.
Terry Dean (pictured), a widower whose terminally ill wife was cared for at the hospice, has since started a petition to save the hospice which currently has almost seven thousand signatures. He presented the petition to the East and North Herts NHS Trust recently
“Following a review by East and North Herts NHS Trust, and in discussion with the MSHC Board of Trustees, the difficult decision was made to relocate the in-patient service of Michael Sobell Hospice to the main hospital block,” explained Rosalind Williams, Chair of The Board of Trustees. “This decision was made in the best interests of patients and their families, and the care that is needed. The relocation was because of current concerns about the inpatient unit environment whilst a permanent solution is sought.”
She added: “The Hospice Day care services remain in the newer part of the building, and that service to patients continues to be fully funded by the Charity. The Charity also continues to fund and support patients in the relocated service.”
The Charity board has now instigated a series of listening and engagement meetings with the aim of consulting with as many people as possible on a future model of care and potential locations. A working group has also been set up to consider all the options being presented.
“We very much appreciate the support shown for the work of the Charity with the recent petition, addressed to East and North Herts NHS Trust as providers of the service,” added Rosalind. “As we go forward, we will continue to put the care of local people in the community with palliative and end of life care needs at the heart of what we do. Thank you for your continued support at this time.”
To keep up-to-date with all the latest news and developments, please visit www.michaelsobellhospice.co.uk
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