St. Luke’s Hospice in Basildon, Essex, has launched a new Wellbeing, Information and Support Hub (WISH) for people living with a life-challenging or life-limiting illness.
The new integrated service combines three traditional hospice departments; Day Hospice, the Information Resource Service and Complementary Therapy Service; under one umbrella, making it an easy to access holistic experience.
A comprehensive package of support will be on offer, with a variety of clinical and therapeutic services and support groups available. Alongside professional advice, people will be empowered to make their own choices and decisions about the support they need, helping them maintain independence and enhance their quality of life, whilst building knowledge and confidence to live as well as possible with their condition.
The support on offer includes medical assessments and support from specialist nurses and doctors, access to wellbeing support groups and courses, outpatient clinics and complementary therapies including massage, Reiki and reflexology.
WISH was developed in response to and from learning attained by the coronavirus pandemic. Over the past six months, St. Luke’s Hospice has responded to the enormous challenges faced in light of the pandemic, re-shaping many of its services to enable it to meet the needs of people in the local community.
It is also hoped the service will be utilised by people in the local community, many of whom may not have known the breadth of support St Luke’s Hospice has to offer.
Sharon Quinn, Director of Care and Quality at St. Luke’s Hospice, said: “With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the challenges faced, there has never been a greater need or opportunity to adapt our services for those who need us. Our new Wellbeing, Information and Support Hub brings together all we have to offer to help people with their medical, emotional and social needs, whilst empowering them to make decisions about their own care.
“We’re looking forward to supporting people at WISH and would encourage anyone in our local community living with a life-limiting or life-challenging illness to get in touch to find out how we may be able to support you.”
Referrals to WISH can be made by anyone living with a life-challenging or life-limiting illness in the districts of Basildon and Thurrock, Essex, as well as the health and/or social care professionals involved in their care.
For more information about the service, please contact the WISH team on 01268 524973 or email wish@stlukeshospice.co.uk.