North London Hospice supports Malta to launch its first ever hospice

A delegation from Hospice Malta, the country’s first ever hospice, visited the North London Hospice where they received support ahead of the launch of their palliative care services.

During the visit, the group met with key members of the organisation including Chief Executive Declan Carroll, Medical Director Dr Sam Edward and Director of Clinical Services, Fan Deane. The team also visited North London Hospice Enfield where they were able to find out more about our Outpatient and Wellbeing Services and see the impact of these services first-hand.

The connection with colleagues and Malta started in 2007 when Dr Sam Edward was studying for her Master’s in Palliative Care at King’s College London. Dr Edward visited Malta and connected with Dr John Paul Tabone. The meeting effectively marked the start of this collaboration between Malta and the UK.

The visiting delegation from Malta included:

• Bernadette Bonnici Kind (Hospice Chairperson)
• Lora Cascun (Hospice Board member + Chairperson of Project Committee)
• Kenneth Delia (CEO)
• Anna Frendo (Clinical Services Manager)
• Marthese Azzopardi (Day Therapy Coordinator)

Dr Sam Edward said: “I first met Dr Tabone when I was in Malta in 2007. Malta only had one palliative care doctor in the whole country so there was a real opportunity to support them and to collaborate. We kept in touch, and I am delighted that plans are progressing with this important work. I look forward to hearing from our colleagues in Malta about the impact that the hospice will undoubtedly have when it opens next year.”

Declan Carroll, Chief Executive at North London Hospice said: “I am incredibly proud of the work that we have done in North London Hospice to support our colleagues in Malta. One of our CORE values as an organisation focuses on collaboration and I am delighted that we have been able to do this and share best practice in palliative care internationally.”

When asked what the North London Hospice had learned from this relationship, Dr Sam Edward, our Medical Director replied:

• The importance of sharing our experience with our international colleagues to help in the development of palliative care outside of the UK.
• Developing shared learning regarding international workforce challenges particularly relating to small countries and as small speciality.
• How important external relationships and networks are on an international level- I never thought when I became a student at Kings that I would make such good friends in Malta!