Two Hertfordshire-based hospices are set to work more closely together on services and fundraising projects in the coming months, after successfully collaborating on a number of initiatives.
Isabel Hospice and Garden House Hospice Care will identify and prioritise areas where they can work in collaboration to improve service delivery and drive better value for money across their operations – whilst continually putting the patient at the heart of everything they do.
Both charities combined serve over half a million people in the neighbouring communities of North Herts, Stevenage, Mid and Eastern Hertfordshire and surrounding villages.
Doctors, nurses, health care professionals and other staff from the organisations have very positive experiences of joint working, including recent collaboration on a heart failure project and the provision of end- of -life education in care homes. The hospices have also worked closely on a successful bid to secure National Lottery Community funding for £450,000 to help fund a joint Compassionate Neighbours scheme.
Rod Leggetter, Chairman of Isabel Hospice Board of Trustees said:
“There is a growing demand for hospice care and, at the same time, increased pressure on funding and costs.
“In response to this, and reflecting on the advice of the Charity Commission and Hospice UK, we believe that radical thinking and bold action are required and this includes increasing the collaboration between our two hospices.
“Our message to the community is, by extending our collaboration, we believe that our individual hospices will be stronger, more able to cope with the pressures on us and, more importantly to maintain and improve the range and quality of services for patients and families experiencing life-limiting illnesses within our communities.”
John Procter, Chairman of Garden House Hospice Care Board of Trustees, commented:
“We are looking forward to collaborating more across services and building on the success of recent joint working.
“This will mean working together on fundraising projects, support for patients with particular illnesses and training, for instance.
“Both Boards are determined not just to stand still – but to continue expanding and improving vital support and care for people in need.”
For more information visit Isabel Hospice and Garden House Hospice Care
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