The first ever hospice on Anglesey is due to open on St David’s Day, 1st March following outstanding community fundraising efforts and generous grants from trusts and foundations. Local charity St David’s Hospice is now ready to welcome its first patient and families to its satellite unit in Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley, Holyhead.
For the last three years, St David’s Hospice has aspired to opening more beds in North West Wales, bridging the gap in inpatient end of life care services across Anglesey, Gwynedd and Conwy.
The four-bed inpatient unit, which utilises a redundant ward of the community hospital, now provides the local people of Anglesey, respite and end of life care for those living with life-limiting illnesses, as well as providing support for many of their loved ones.
Working in partnership with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the Anglesey Hospice is independent of the NHS, and the clinical team will be funded by St David’s Hospice, through charitable donations and the support of the local community. The Health Board has provided the space for the hospice as well as the support services including catering, maintenance, and IT. There will also be a close working relationship between the hospice team and local Health Board services and GPs.
St David’s Hospice Chief Executive, Trystan Pritchard said:
“This project will help provide care for the people of Anglesey when they are at their most vulnerable. It’s crucial that patients and families can access the services they need at end of life as close to their own communities as possible.
The Health Board team have been excellent in helping to make this project happen and we are grateful to the people of Anglesey for their ongoing support.”
Ffion Johnstone, Area Director for West of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said:
“We are delighted that the new Hospice in Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley is opening. We have worked in close partnership with St David’s Hospice throughout to ensure that the people of Anglesey have access to end of life care closer to their homes. The new four-bedroom facilities provide a modern, comfortable and peaceful environment. We have no doubt that this much needed development will be highly valued by the local community.”
As part of the funding efforts, the charity successfully secured a National Lottery Community Fund grant of £450,000 which will help fund staff at the satellite unit for three years.
Ruth Bates, Head of North Wales region for The National Lottery Community Fund said:
“We are delighted to be able to support St David’s Hospice in opening the first ever hospice on Anglesey. Charity and healthcare workers play an incredible role in supporting their communities, and this hospice will ensure that people who need care when they’re at their most vulnerable now have this amazing facility on their doorstep.
Thank you to those who play the National Lottery for making it possible to fund projects such as this that are making a huge difference to people’s lives.”
Led by Matron Glenys Sullivan, the specialist palliative care team consists of St David’s Hospice nurses, medical team and Health care support workers, who will provide 24-hour care, 365 days a year.
A virtual tour of the Hospice is available to view online, in which Glenys explains the new facilities;
“We are thrilled that the high level of expert nursing care that is synonymous with St David’s Hospice, is now available on Anglesey.
“Each single bedded-room is modern and fully equipped for comfort, dignity and privacy. Some rooms offer en-suite facilities and sofa beds, accommodating patients who may need to have somebody staying with them at night, plus there is a family room for quiet times.
“All bedrooms overlook the calming coastal landscape of Penrhos or the courtyard gardens and when weather permits, the doors open to allow the patients and their families to spend time on the patio area, taking in the fresh air and picturesque scenery.
“Thank you so much for all of your fundraising support so far. It is wonderful to see the dream come to reality”
The charity will need to raise £440,000 every year to cover the running costs of the satellite unit and the fundraising effort will continue.
To find out more about how you can get involved in fundraising activities for the new Anglesey satellite hospice, please go to www.stdavidshospice.org.uk or call 01248 858830.
