CHARITY UPDATE: July 23rd 2018

Much has been happening since our last update in early July. The first set of listening and engagement events has taken place and reports from these have been sent to the Board of Trustees. These reports, and other information, will support the Trustees in their decision making on future services. Recognising that most people have holiday plans future engagement events are being proposed for after the summer. Also supporting the board, the Advisory working group is now in place. Membership of the group include a Trustee, our CEO, a previous user of our services, and a retired local GP. Their work will spread a wide net to capture not only local views but also consider the national picture for palliative and end of life care.

At our request we have met with key people across Hillingdon, including our MP Nick Hurd; the Michael Sobell Foundation; representatives of Hillingdon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and we have made visits to other hospices. We were also invited to speak to the Hillingdon Council External Select Committee who were very supportive of both the Charity and our work.

We continue to have regular meetings with NHS providers on site, and have had confirmation that, as wards 10 and 11 are to undergo refurbishment, palliative care services and patients will be changing to the medical block while the work is being carried out. Once works are completed in August services and patients will return to the newly painted and updated wards. The Charity continues to fully fund the Hospice Day Centre and to support the inpatient service regardless of location.

The fact that the Charity has been able to provide palliative care for over 40 years is testament to you, our passionate and dedicated supporters, volunteers and staff team. As we work together on considering the current options, and reassess what services our community needs for the future, we need your support more than ever.

Please encourage other supporters to continue their efforts, as we now have a real opportunity to develop and deliver 21^st century palliative and end of life care for local people. 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 centre of our plans and keep you updated.

CHARITY UPDATE: July 12th 2018

Following a review by East and North Herts NHS Trust, and in discussion with the Board of Trustees of Michael Sobell Hospice Charity, the difficult decision was made to relocate the in-patient service of Michael Sobell Hospice to the main hospital block. This decision was made in the best interests of the patients and their families and the care that is needed.

The relocation was as a result of current concerns about the inpatient unit environment whilst a permanent solution is sought. 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 Board of Trustees have instigated a series of listening and engagement events with a wide section of the community, including our staff, volunteers and NHS providers, to consult with as many people as possible on a future model of care and potential locations. The Board of Trustees have set up a working group to consider all of the options being presented and will provide regular updates as the work progresses.

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.
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 centre of our plans for the future.

CHARITY UPDATE: June 26th 2018

On behalf of Michael Sobell Hospice Charity (MSHC), we would like to thank our loyal and dedicated supporters for their continued support and commitment to the Charity, in what is undoubtedly a difficult time for all concerned with the work of the Charity.

At MSHC, we are committed to supporting quality palliative and end of life care for our Day Hospice patients, and those who are now being cared for in the main hospital. The Charity continues to fund this care as we have always done.

The Board of Trustees are taking into account the many views, comments and opinions currently being voiced and shared, and both welcome and value the very positive contributions from all of those who have signed the recent online petition. As we move forward to develop a future model of care for local people and their families in our community, we have a shared vision to ensure palliative care services continue to be freely available to those at a critical time of need.

CHARITY UPDATE: June 20th 2018

During the last few days, all in patient unit (IPU) patients have had a successful relocation from the unit into side rooms inside the main hospital, on wards 10 & 11. They are now settled, comfortable and receiving high quality care from the nurses, doctors and palliative care team who have moved from the MSH site with them. Patients are able to access the Hospice gardens and there are two day rooms available. As before, MSHC continues to raise funds to support these patients in their new location.

Over the next few months, MSHC in partnership with the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust will be working together to consider alternative opportunities for a future model of care. We will keep you regularly updated with any further developments.

In the meantime, MSHC will continue to fully fund the running of the Hospice Day Centre and your continued support is needed now more than ever.

CHARITY UPDATE: June 19th 2018

As you know in the last week the MSH site has been announced as unfit for purpose with the inpatient unit relocating to two wards in the main hospital as an interim measure. Working in partnership with the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust​, who are the managers and owners of the Michael Sobell Hospice site, we are working very hard to consider alternative options/solutions for a future model of care and will keep you informed of our developments.

In the meantime the Charity will continue to fully fund the much needed Hospice Day Centre. The continued support of you our invaluable donors, volunteers and staff is now needed more than ever.

We will take this as a positive opportunity to review the services needed by the community in the years to come, meeting the challenging needs in palliative and end of life care.

We thank you for your loyal and ongoing support.