Chichester’s hospice welcomes Government funding boost

St Wilfrid’s, which serves Chichester, Bognor Regis and the surrounding area, relies on the public for 85 per cent of its funding.

But with charity shops closing and fundraising events being cancelled, the hospice’s long-term income has been adversely affected.

But on Wednesday night, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a £750million package of support for UK charities, with some of this money going towards hospices.

Alison Moorey, chief executive at St Wilfrid’s Hospice, said: “We very much welcome the Government’s latest announcement of hospice specific support at a time when St Wilfrid’s is playing a vital role in the healthcare system’s response to the coronavirus crisis. We look forward to working with Hospice UK to put this much needed funding to good use in the local community.”

However she said they were still very much relying on the public’s ongoing support.

You can donate to St Wilfrid’s online or can send the charity a ‘wilfcard’ on its Facebook page.

The wilfcards campaign is encouraging messages of support for staff as they continue to care for terminally ill people in the community.

Wilfcards are virtual postcards residents and organisations can use to share kind words at this critical time with St Wilfrid’s as it plays its part in supporting our healthcare system. The first theme #thankswilf, asks for messages and selfies to give thanks to the doctors, nurses and volunteers working to ensure patients both on the recently enlarged 18 bed ward, and patients in their own homes, continue to receive compassionate care.

Ms Moorey said: “We also thank those who have been sending us messages and pictures of kindness, it has meant the world to our staff to know how much the local community cares. Stay home and keep safe.”

She described how they were doing everything to ensure services continue throughout the pandemic without compromising the safety of patients and their loved ones.

Four new beds have been made available in the inpatient ward, bringing the total to 18, and by adapting the way it delivers care the charity is currently providing support to more than 300 patients in West Sussex.

The majority of St Wilfrid’s patients continue to be served by the dedicated community nursing team, following the government guidance and using technology to contact patients where possible.

They are continuing to provide symptom control, nursing care and emotional support to terminally ill people.

Ms Moorey added: “This Easter will be for many, very different from all others. For us at the hospice it is a time of reflection and renewal as we continue to commit ourselves fully to the delivery of compassionate care to terminally ill people in our community.”

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