Sturdy Memorial Hospital now offers inpatient palliative care

ATTLEBORO — Sturdy Memorial Hospital, in conjunction with Hope Health Palliative Care, part of the Hope Health family of services, has begun offering inpatient palliative care services to patients at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, according to a statement issued jointly by nonprofit entities.

“Touching and bettering the lives of people living with a serious illness takes dedicated services and special support,” said Diana Franchitto, president and CEO of Hope Health, New England’s largest nonprofit, community-based hospice and palliative care organization with services in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

“We are so pleased that Sturdy Memorial Hospital, a well-respected, well-known community hospital chose Hope Health to offer palliative care services to patients and their families,” said Franchitto.

"Our collaboration with Hope Health builds upon the Hospital’s existing commitment to its’ patients and families to provide high quality compassionate care along with much needed supportive services for those facing serious, chronic illnesses," said Robin Morris, vice president of clinical services and corporate integrity officer at Sturdy Memorial Hospital.

Palliative care providers work with seriously ill patients and families — those facing life- threating illnesses such as heart disease, advanced cancers, and dementia — to ensure that their values, priorities and desires are respected and honored.

“Successful hospital-based palliative care requires mutual respect, clear communications among all involved parties and a shared commitment to help patients and their families achieve their desired goals,” said Dr. Jennifer Ritzau, Hope Health’s medical director for palliative care. “We are thrilled that Sturdy recognizes that palliative care enhances the quality of life for seriously ill patients and we applaud them for expanding their services to include palliative care.”