Upgrade plans for Saint Francis Hospice to improve patient experience

The Hospice building (credit:SFH)

Residents in Havering are being invited to Saint Francis Hospice to find out more about a building project designed to improve the hospice experience for patients and families.

An open day is taking place at the premises in Havering-atte-Bower on Thursday, 2 November, from 11am to 4pm, which will give an insight into upgrade plans for the building with work due to begin in July next year.

The team managing the Ward Transformation Project will be in attendance. Residents will also be able to view plans and designs illustrating how the reception and ward area will be upgraded.

“Next year we celebrate 40 years of delivering the best palliative and end of life care to local people living in our catchment areas of Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge, Brentwood and West Essex and we are excited about future proofing the hospice for the next 40 years,” said Tes Smith, Director of Services at Saint Francis Hospice.

“The need for our services continues to grow, and the Ward Transformation Project is essential to ensure the hospice is sustainable for the future, to bring facilities in line with our care standards, so those on our ward and their loved ones have even more comfort and dignity.”

The entrance, reception and community space for staff, inpatients and visitors will be transformed and access to external areas will be improved. The four bed wards will be extended to support delivery of care and upgrades will be made to bedrooms, staff, clinical, therapy and ancillary areas.

Solar panels will be installed, along with sustainable and modern technologies to enhance the environment for patients. This includes features to control humidity, temperature, levels/moods of lighting and bedside oxygen.

“The existing building, which has developed in a piecemeal fashion over the years as funding was secured along the way via different grants, donations and legacies, is no longer quite fit for purpose,” said Tes.

“We’re delighted building work will start in July 2024 and be completed by March 2025 so local people, their loved ones, staff and volunteers will soon benefit from a dynamic and more modern facility with updated technology.”

The Hospice have reassured that “plans are currently being prepared to ensure minimal disruption to service while the building work is taking place at the hospice.”

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