Jersey Hospice Care to expand services in major new deal

Wednesday 03 September 2014

Health have struck a major deal with Jersey Hospice Care to provide end-of-life care for more Islanders and to look after people who want to spend their last days at home.

Under the new contract, the hospice will care for people at their expanded site on Mont Cochon, and will also look after people in the hospital, and care for people in their homes. The Health department will pay Jersey Hospice Care £810,000 this year, and £883,000 next year under the terms of the arrangement that will see the hospice's remit extended to help anyone in their last days, not only those with cancer or Motor Neurone Disease.

The arrangement has been welcomed by the hospice Chief Executive, Steve Harvey, who said that it would ensure equitable end-of-life (or “palliative”) care for all.

He said: “The decision to extend our remit in this way was based on the clear evidence of the benefit to patients and their families. It also ensures equitable palliative care for all, regardless of diagnosis.

“Jersey Hospice Care will also be creating a Hospice at Home team which, in close collaboration with all other service areas of the Hospice, will help to support the care of people in their own homes in partnership with the community nursing services.”

The deal will work through a Service Level Agreement between the hospice and the Health department.

Health Minister Anne Pryke, a former palliative care nurse who used to work at Jersey Hospice Care, said: “Each person must be treated as an individual, with respect, dignity and compassion, as they near the end of their life.

“As a former nurse, I spent 20 years at Jersey Hospice Care mainly working as a Home Care Sister in the community, so I know first-hand the importance of a loved one being able to experience this. People, wherever possible, should be able to have a good end to their lives, surrounded by their family and friends, in familiar surroundings.

“We know that through their expertise in this area, our colleagues at Hospice will be able to help even more families whose loved ones require palliative care, and be there when they are needed most.”