Michael Sobell Hospice – care and support for those with life limiting illness in Northwood
The Michael Sobell Hospice provides specialised end of life care and support to local people, their families, friends and carers in Northwood.
The team behind the Michael Sobell Hospice
The charity’s roots date back to 1972 when a chance meeting between Dr Alistair Laing, Consultant Radiotherapist and Dr Eric Hughes of the National Society for Cancer Relief (NSCR, latterly Macmillan), resulted in a report confirming the need for specialist palliative care for people affected by terminal illness.
The President of the NSCR, Sir Michael Sobell, was impressed by the report and decided to personally provide £1 million to the National Society to support the building of four continuing care units (hospices). That money was provided on the condition that the NHS would fund running costs supported by charitable donations from the local community. Such donations, in the case of Michael Sobell House, were channelled through the Charity which later became The Friends of Michael Sobell House.
The Michael Sobell Hospice was built on the site of Mount Vernon Hospital in Northwood and admitted its first patients on Valentine’s Day, 1977. Today it is run by a board of volunteer trustees as well as a talented and caring permanent staff.
What they do to support cancer patients
The hospice is all about offering care and support for people and their families, when facing life limiting illnesses. The clinical team offers medical, nursing and emotional care along with practical support. They do this through a 10-bed inpatient unit as well as a Day Therapy Unit, which helps individuals in areas such as pain management, psychological support, social support, symptom control and carer support. They also offer counselling, occupational therapy and other therapeutic opportunities such as arts and crafts and other social activities.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE MICHAEL SOBELL HOSPICE
https://www.michaelsobellhospice.co.uk/
