OAKHAVEN INCREASES ITS RANGE OF SERVICES

February 2007

Oakhaven Hospice has announced today that it is to expand its range of services over the coming year. Following a thorough evaluation of its existing services carried out during the later part of 2006, part of a process to identify future needs of palliative care in the local community. Oakhaven staff were able to identify a number of areas in which services could be developed and increased and two of these are set to launch during 2007.

The first will be the provision of a Hospice At Home service. Hospice At Home is an intergral component of palliative home care, bringing the skills, ethos and practical care associated with a hospice into the home environment and putting the patient and those who matter to them at the centre of care. It enables patients with advanced life limiting illness to be cared for at home and to die at home if that is their preference. Care at home may be provided to prevent admission to an inpatient unit, for respite or crisis management, or for longer periods of time. Care will be of the high standard expected from Oakhaven so as to enhance the quality of life for both patient and carer.

Oakhaven’s second new initiative will be the introduction of a Complimentary Therapy Service. Complimentary Therapies now form an integral part of palliative and supportive care received by patients in hospices, hospital wards and at home. The term Complimentary Therapies refers to these therapies which are used alongside conventional health care. As part of the overall holistic approach to hospice care it is recognised that these therapies have a significant role to play in improving the overall well-being and comfort of the patient.

Oakhaven Chief Executive Andrew Ryde said “ We are very proud of the facilities we offer within the Hospice and throughout the community and of the high regard local people have for our work. We are looking forward to introducing these new initiatives and we are determined to continue to take Oakhaven forward and develop our range of services still further in a structured and viable manner to meet the needs of the community we serve. Palliative care is about providing the support to enable the best quality of life to be achieved by patients and their families facing a life limiting illness. This is a real opportunity to continue to develop palliative care locally and to meet these needs “….END

NOTE FOR EDITORS :

Oakhaven Hospice provides specialist care to people with life limiting illness, and also offer support to their families and friends. Our care is provided free of charge to all patients within the local New Forest catchment area and only a relatively small amount of funding comes from the NHS. We support over 120 patients weekly and our Community team make 2,500 home visits and telephone contacts every year. Our Bereavement Team makes in excess of 1,600 contacts within the community annually while the Day Hospice has more than 1,200 attendances. Media enquiries to Mike Denny, Fundraising Director on 01590 677311 or email mike@oakhavenhospice.co.uk

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