Fair Havens hospice in Essex is re-deploying some of its care as it prepares to move to a new building.
Staff at Fair Havens’ In-Patient Unit will be transferred to care for patients in their homes and at the day hospice for a minimum of a nine-week period. Fair Havens adult hospice is part of Havens Hospices, along with Little Havens for children and The J’s Hospice for young adults.
A brand-new hospice is currently being built and is due to open in spring 2020. The new facility will have 16 bedrooms, a larger day hospice, more therapy and treatment rooms, a rehabilitation gym, and a restaurant for patients, families and visitors.
The recent retirement of a long-standing Palliative Care Consultant and the planned relocation of the hospice led to the decision to change the model of care for a temporary period. With no on-site doctor available to provide the necessary medical support within the hospice and other local healthcare providers unable to assist due to the national shortage of consultants specialising in this field, the hospice has repurposed staff to strengthen its community and day hospice services.
Director of Care for Havens Hospices Ellie Miller said: “We have put a lot of time and work into preparing for this change, working with our healthcare network to look at every viable option, and changing our model temporarily to ensure a sustainable care service for our community.
“This is the best solution to ensure our patients are still receiving the best possible end of life care, symptom control and respite, but within their homes (or day hospice if appropriate) rather than the existing Fair Havens building.”
Ellie added: “Learning to deliver care in a new building, with systems and technology that we have not used before, will take time and practice in order to feel confident and demonstrate competence.
“Also, transferring patient care during a phased opening of a new hospice is not unusual practice. It means that staff can re-adjust to new ways of working. It allows us to say goodbye to the old building and models of care. Many staff have strong emotional connections with the old building, having worked here since the early days.”
Local healthcare providers have been informed of the changes.
For more information visit Havens Hospices
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