Essex hospices join forces to improve care

St. Luke’s Hospice in Basildon, Farleigh Hospice in Chelmsford, Havens Hospices in Southend and Saint Francis Hospice Havering-atte-Bower and are joining forces on an all-age survey across Mid and South Essex to gather lived experiences of people living with conditions which require palliative care, either as an adult, young person or child, or as their carer.

Palliative care is treatment, care and support for someone with a life-limiting illness and those at the end of their life. It focuses on the quality of someone’s life, managing physical symptoms, offering emotional and practical support to the patient, their family and friends. Palliative care can take place in the home, hospital, care home or a hospice.

The survey is being run by Healthwatch Essex, an independent charity which uses feedback and experiences from local people to improve health and care in the county. The survey is open to anyone who has experienced care from a hospital, hospice or community service. The aim is to find out what was wanted and needed during this time, and if there were any barriers from accessing these.

Ros spoke to Eileen Marshell, chief executive at St Luke’s Hospice.