Head of Naomi House and Paediatric Services Chris Forster will be much missed after 18 years of dedicated service to Naomi House & Jacksplace in Sutton Scotney.
Chris came to Naomi House as a Clinical Team Leader in 2008 and was appointed Head of Naomi House and Paediatric Services in 2016.
During that time, she has helped to implement big changes at the children’s and young adults’ hospices including the opening of Jacksplace for 18 to 35-year-olds, the introduction of on-site physios and palliative care consultants and the establishment of community outreach services.
Over the years, Chris has championed children’s hospice care at No 10 Downing Street, welcomed the Princess of Wales and The Duchess of Wessex and been part of a care management team that has seen Naomi House & Jacksplace’s care continuously rated outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.
Chris’s commitment to the charity has extended to fundraising too and she has completed a sky dive and ten 26-mile Clarendon Way sponsored walks, raising over £2,500 along the way.
Chris says: “The care and support we provide today is so much more than when I first came to Naomi House. We offer an integrated, highly complex healthcare environment that meets the needs of both our children and their families, with a positive approach to support at end of life and in bereavement.
“Naomi House & Jackplace are always full of colour and smiles. Yes there are tears, but there’s also much laughter as well. We help to make positive memories whenever we can. What that might look like will be different for every individual child and family, but we support everyone in the way that brings them the most comfort.
“It has been a privilege to be a small part of this, having the resources and facilities to provide what we as healthcare professionals advocate as truly holistic care.”
Naomi House & Jacksplace Chief Executive Mark Smith says: “Chris has been instrumental in developing our services for 18 years. That’s meant implementing big changes and increasingly complex care for our children and young adults while also being able to be there for them and their families with ongoing support and kindness.
“It was Chris who saw us through the Pandemic – one of our most challenging times.
“She has been completely dedicated to her work at Naomi House & Jacksplace and we wish her a very fond farewell with huge gratitude to her for everything that she has done.”
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