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Jersey Hospice Care will be working on improving access to its services in the New Year by introducing a 24-hour outreach service and extending their day hospice provision for children, young people and their families.
Emelita Robbins, Jersey Hospice Care's Chief Executive, also announced that the charity will be fundraising for a facility dedicated to children once details on the building have been agreed.
She explained: "Improving access to our services has been a long term priority of Jersey Hospice Care. We believe a truly holistic palliative care service should be available to everyone who needs our services on island.
"In 2014, we expanded our remit to provide hospice care for adults with any life limiting illness, not just cancer. In 2015, we were asked to help look after a child in their final days on our In Patient Unit. Sadly, we had to say no to the family because our In Patient Unit is only registered to care for adults.
"We now hope to change that. Our hopes are to extend our services to everyone in Jersey, irrespective of diagnosis or age, because this is the right thing to do for our community. Our hope is to offer families a choice in the place of care and place of death for their child or young person. We hope the whole community of Jersey will support us in making this a reality.
Pictured: Emelita Robbins, chief executive, Jersey Hospice Care.
"Our work with children and young people has already begun, through our emotional support service and access to day hospice facilities. Early in 2018, we will introduce a 24 hour out-reach service and look to extend our day hospice provision for children, young people and their families. Through working together and gaining feedback, we will create a service and activities tailored to the individual needs of the children, young people and families we serve.
"We will also be appointing a Project Delivery team in 2018, which will be responsible for the design and construction of a specialist purpose-built facility for children and young people, with family accommodation, at Jersey Hospice Care. We have quietly started fundraising for this project; the formal launch of the fundraising campaign will follow when further elements of the built facility are agreed.
Pictured: Jersey Hospice wants to extend their day hospice provision for children, young people and their families in 2018.
"We are committed to improving the experience of children and young people with a life shortening or life threatening condition and that of their families. Throughout our journey, we will continue to work closely with other agencies and healthcare providers in this field.
"2018 is set to be an exciting year ahead for Jersey Hospice Care and the future of Children’s Palliative Care services in Jersey."
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