Hospice to re-open
A HILLINGDON hospice which was forced to close after the building was declared “unsafe” is set to reopen.
Michael Sobell Hospice will reopen in December, around 18 months after it was forced to shut when building inspectors found the structure was “unsafe and no longer fit for purpose”.
The hospice, which opened in 1977, sits in the ground of Mount Vernon Hospital, in Northwood, which itself was found to be “not fit for purpose” in October, according to a report in The Guardian.
Terminally ill patients cared for at the hospice had to be moved to wards at Mount Vernon, which will continue their care until the hospice reopens on December 14.
Hillingdon’s NHS Clinical Comissioning Group (CCG) has contracted Harlington Hospice to provide the care at the hospice on behalf of the local NHS trust, while the Michael Sobell charity has footed the bill to update the building. Refurbishment work itself began in September 2019 and is expected to be complete by the end of November.
Dr Ian Goodman, chairman of Hillingdon CCG, said: “We are thrilled by the news that we are bringing hospice care services back to the Michael Sobell Hospice and look forward to having a long and fruitful relationship with the Harlington Hospice Charity.”
The CCG had hoped to reopen the hospice in September, but delayed plans in order to make the transition for patients as smooth as possible. Dr Goodman added:
“Patients, friends and family, and the staff involved in the services have shown great patience during this time.
“Their on-going support has been critical to ensuring the future of Michael Sobell Hospice and we would like to thank them for it.
“We would especially like to pay tribute to the Michael Sobell Hospice Charity (formerly The Friends of Michael Sobell House). Its volunteer network, supporters and patrons have worked tirelessly since the beginning of the service changes in June 2018 to promote and support with charitable funding the future of the Michael Sobell Hospice service.”
The hospice’s day centre, housed in a newer part of the original building, remained open throughout and was also funded by the charity.
The hospice first admitted patients on Valentine’s Day in 1977. It was funded after Michael Sobell, a prominent British businessman who donated £1 million to fund four hospices to improve care, pain control and support.
The hospice quickly expanded with the opening of a day centre on July 2 1982, with running wholly funded by the Michael Sobell Hospice Charity, which raises money and resources to provide the best care possible.