Branching out into Beds
Local hospice submits plans for unit dedicated to end-of-life care
Treetops Hospice Care has submitted a planning application for permission to build a new In-Patient Unit dedicated to caring for people at the end of life at their Risley site.
The plans, now with Erewash Borough Council, are to deliver a service providing 12 dedicated end-of-life beds and facilities which would increase choice for local people as to where they receive end of life care.
Treetops, based in Risley, provides nursing care and emotional support for adults with life limiting conditions –such as cancer, Multiple Sclerosis and Motor Neurone Disease – living in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Last year the hospice supported over 1,800 people with a range of services provided free of charge.
Though there are over two hundred hospices throughout the UK, there are currently no independent hospice beds throughout Southern Derbyshire or Southern Nottinghamshire.
Treetops chief executive, George Cameron, explained more:
“We believe that everyone deserves a choice over where they receive their care and end of life support. We want to support people with any life-limiting illness to die in their preferred place. By offering an In-Patient Unit, we would be able to offer them a choice to die in our supportive and beautiful surroundings, if that is their wish.
“Dying at home is not always possible due to people’s care needs, or even everyone’s choice. Equally, some people do not feel comfortable going into a nursing home or hospital.
“We already offer hospice care in people’s homes through our Hospice at Home service – last year, we provided almost 42,000 hours of nursing support – and this commitment will not change.
“The new In-Patient Unit can provide continuity of care for those who wish to be cared for by Treetops until the end.”
The Unit plans have been welcomed by local people as well as the hospice staff, volunteers and supporters.
The Unit will be nurse-led with flexible visiting times for family and friends. Plans include sleeping facilities for family members as well as a multi-faith room. It is hoped that the new service will be open to receive patients from spring 2020.
The planning process could take up to thirteen weeks, so Treetops hopes to hear from Erewash Borough Council by mid-September.
Treetops services include Support and Information, a Day Care Unit, Hospice at Home nurses and Therapeutic Services including counselling, art therapy and complementary therapy.
