Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2008 | Page 6

FOREWORD
Hospice to be the co-ordination
centre for all people on the island
with life-threatening illnesses.
Right:: Abigail Nelmes - Day Unit Leader and Inez Beard
Bottom: Graham Elderfield - Chief Executive

Since 1982 Earl Mountbatten
Hospice has been the centre
for palliative care on the
Island. Recently extended it
is one of the leading Hospices’
in the country caring for
over 800 patients every year
in 17 specially designed
patient rooms, with a large
outpatient suite, treatment
areas for physiotherapy,
occupational therapy, facilities
for complementary therapies

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and pamperers, a chapel,
and family support. All
these services are provided
free of charge thanks to the
extraordinary generosity
of fellow Islanders.
The rising demand for
end of life care in familiar
surroundings led to the
development of a specialist
team called Hospice@Home.
The increased demand will
require further funds to extend

the work of the Hospice wider
into the community with the
Hospice@Home team giving
support and comfort to those
who choose to die at home.
The Hospice’s aim has been
to provide privacy, dignity,
comfort and support to people
living with a life-threatening
illness, together with a
pain-free exit from life, and
consolation and support for
their families. This is not
just for cancer patients; it
includes a range of conditions
including renal failure, Motor
Neurone Disease, heart
disease, chronic bronchitis
and emphysema. The staff
are supported by a loyal team
of volunteers who donate
their time and expertise free
of charge. In spite of huge
voluntary contribution 2