On Friday I travelled to Ipswich to visit St Elizabeth’s Hospice. Jane the CEO was so generous with her time. The hospice was superb and I loved the memory tree, conservatory and inpatient facilities. Thank you Jane I learnt lots and I bring back many ideas for the future.
Help the Hospice
On Wednesday I joined a number of other senior staff from Hospices around the country met with Help the Hospices to discuss commissioning changes within the NHS. A toolkit is to become available for hospices to help them look at the opportunities and challenges they may face in the very rapidly changing NHS.
The Health4NEL project
On Tuesday I met with Heather Mullins who leads the Health4NEL project, and we discussed the End of Life programme that the commissioners are plan and how the Hospice can be involved.
Also on Tuesday we had another strategy session with the Trustees to discuss our vision and plans for the future. This was followed by our Council of Management meeting where finance was a key part of the discussion.
A Wing and a Prayer
On Monday I attended a fantastic event at the Queens Theatre organised by Melville the Mayor of Havering. It was a play ‘wing and a prayer’ by the local company ‘Lightnin Drama Group‘. It was a play of the second world war and it’s effects on Havering. The play had won a completion and got to be presented at the Savoy in London . When the Mayor saw it he was so overwhelmed he knew he had to bring the play back to Havering.
The standard of acting and singing (lots of audience participation with union jacks singing along to the great oldies – ‘there’ll be bluebirds over’ , ‘pack up your troubles’ to name but a few, you’ll be singing along already!
The Romford British Legion Band and The Mayor of Havering
Prior to the Theatre we were entertained at Langtons by the Romford British Legion Band – or the Royal British Legion Band of Corps of Drums Romford to give it the correct title.
Mud and Madness
On Saturday I attended our first ever ‘Mud and Madness event’ at the Stubbers Adventure Centre and it certainly lived up to its name. We had over 50 people take part representing the Hospice.
St Francis and Matchroom Sport Teams at "The Off"
With teams from Matchroom sport, the local newspaper, as well as many families and supporters who know the hospice, and some of our staff.
Lauren Paddles Away
It was freezing cold, and the ice had to broken on the mud! The runners were fantastic- what an achievement!
The Runners were Fantastic
Thanks to Elizabeth and her team for organising the event which raised over £10,000
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Tagged Mud N Madness, Saint Francis Hospice, Stubbers Adventure Centre
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Help the Hospice – Facing the Future
Last Thursday the Chairman and I attended the East of England session with Help the Hospice on ‘facing the future’
There were session on the proposed changes in Health and Social Care, and explored the opportunities and issues for Hospices and how some hospices are already responding. In the afternoon there was an excellent session on fundraising in a recession.
Help the Hospices are preparing benchmarking information to help all hospices review their activities and compare how they are performing against other hospices. The session was stimulating and thought provocative and there was much to bring back to Saint Francis.
Marie Curie
This week I attended a session organised by St Claire’s on the proposed palliative care funding review. The CEO from Marie Curie – Tom Hughes-Hallet made the presentation (he was one of the authors of the review). There was an interactive question session which was very informative.
After Christmas – Christmas Celebrations
On Friday night I joined over 80 staff for our After Christmas – Christmas Celebrations at Joy Fooks near Brentwood. We had a wonderful evening, with an excellent chinese buffet and lots of dancing! A good time was had by all.
Redbridge Clinical Commissioning Group
We were very pleased to meet and show around the Clinical Director (Dr Anil Mehta)and Borough Director (Louise Mitchell) from the Redbridge Clinical Commissioning Group. Redbridge are reviewing their end of life strategy and we are working closely with them.
St Bernards Day Centre
I was also delighted to receive a cheque for £3,000 from the St Bernards Day Centre (sadly on it’s closure). Mrs Lagden and her colleagues came up to the Hospice to deliver the cheque and to look around. Thank you to everyone involved in this donation.