Sir Trevor Brooking among attendees to Ward Transformation Open Day

Saint Francis Hospice invited the public to an Open Day on 2nd November to find out more about an exciting building project to improve the comfort and experience of patients and their loved ones. Here Tes Smith, Director of Services, tells us why the Ward Transformation Project is necessary to future-proof the hospice for the next 40 years.  

We were delighted so many members of the public, staff, volunteers, including our wonderful patron Sir Trevor Brooking, braved Storm Ciaran to visit the hospice and meet the team managing the Ward Transformation Project. 

They had the chance to view the plans and designs that will see the reception and ward area upgraded into a state-of-the-art care environment.

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 parts of West Essex and we want to future proof the hospice for the next 40 years.  

The need for our services is growing and the Ward Transformation Project is essential to ensure the hospice is sustainable for the future and to bring facilities in line with our care so people on our ward facility and their loved ones have more comfort and dignity. 

The reception and ward areas will be redesigned so they are more accessible, with more space created and each room and bay on the ward will have an ensuite bathroom/wet room.  

Among the benefits to improve the environment for people will include features to control humidity, temperature, levels/moods of lighting and bedside oxygen. 

The existing building was developed in a piecemeal fashion over the years as funding was secured along the way via different grants, donations and legacies.

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

We are currently preparing plans to ensure minimal disruption to service while the building work is taking place at the hospice and will keep everyone updated on as the project progresses.