ST. Luke’s Hospice welcomed the decision by Thurrock Council’s Planning Committee to grant permission for the development of a new Hospice and ‘enabling development’ to be located on land at Malgraves Farm on Lower Dunton Road.
The new six bed hospice will be a state-of–the-art centre of excellence in palliative care and will operate as a ‘twin hospice’ to St. Luke’s established hospice located in Basildon.
Following the decision, put forward by developer, Countryside and St. Luke’s Hospice, Eileen Marshall, Chief Executive Officer at St. Luke’s Hospice said, ‘’We are delighted with the outcome of the planning meeting and are pleased that Thurrock Council share our vision of being able to provide the care and support local people, especially those who have a life limiting illness, need and deserve. We want to thank everyone for their amazing support’’.
The new Hospice will be delivered at no cost to St. Luke’s and will be funded with the development by Countryside of 50 high-quality family homes.
Countryside Land Director, Darragh Harnett, said: “This is a fantastic result which reflects the many months of hard work we have put into this application. The involvement of the Hospice made this a particularly important project for us and we are extremely pleased that the application has been approved which will enable a new St Luke’s Hospice to be built. It is great news for the local community.”
Eileen continued, ”This is a bold project, we firmly believe that this is the best way to ensure that St Luke’s Hospice is in a position to be able to develop our services to meet the changing needs of our patients, their families and carers as well as our wider community.‘’
St. Luke’s decision to press forward with this development project was endorsed by one of their patients Jackie Higginson who released this personal statement ‘’ When I was originally referred to St. Luke’s, some six years ago, I had been told by consultants that my life expectancy was poor and, according to their prognosis I only had a few years left to live those years and the ones I believe St. Luke’s care have added to my life are precious to me.
As a patient of the hospice St Luke’s has enabled me to live my life rather than wait to die and I feel strongly than any further delay in this build or cancellation and starting again at a new location will be unfair to others in my position now and in the future.
St Luke’s are at the fore front cutting edge development of hospice care they have numerous awards and are ‘Gold Star’ professionals therefore their judgement of where and what to build should take the lead they know what they are doing with patient carer at their core.
I live in South Ockendon and for me, my family other patients and people I have spoken to the location of this new hospice has never been an issue.
I get picked up and taken back home for Hospice Day Care, Physiotherapy or acupuncture, and other therapies I need when at the hospice I can be taken to Basildon hospital and I know also if they do blood test they can turn my blood results around in the same day which may take my GP a week. With the new build being close to Basildon hospital also it will have that same support.
When building this hospice we must remember that it is a charity and funds can only stretch so far. Delivering a new hospice would not be possible if the hospice had to do it alone.
The proposed hospice will operate as a twin to our current hospice. This will give patients the comfort of knowing that first class service already at St Luke’s Hospice will continue no matter which building you are in.
Malgraves will provide a tranquil surrounding which is what patients want. Those of us who go to the Hospice now, or my friends that I have made or lost since being there, love to be in the garden, it gives you the space and quiet to think and helps relax you.
If stuck in bed you can look out the window or open the doors on to open space it brings much joy. The gardens bring diversional therapy space enjoyed by in-patients, day care and families.
Patients don’t want a larger or busier or nosier development the magic of St Luke’s is in its family feel and how you don’t feel lost or just a number. They make you feel special and that they are fighting in your corner to help you live and provide you with a place that is safe and welcoming.
They know their patients and they know what they need even before you as a patient may know.
When you are ill and can’t see the wood for the trees you need an organisation like St Luke’s that has the space and makes the time for you to make a path through the trees for you and your family.
Please listen to the Hospice they know how best to care for you when you most need care when you are dying or have a debilitating disease. They are the true professionals in this area and we cannot delay this build any further because without it many people who could do with St Luke’s magic will not get it.
25 years ago this month St Luke’s admitted their first patient – and during those 25 years St. Luke’s has not let our community down – I am pleased Thurrock Council have not let St. Luke’s down – and they have supported this development which will give patients more choice and flexibility about how they want to live’’.
Eileen further explained:- ‘’It is important to us that our community understands our reasons for taking this approach. Similar sentiments as expressed in Jackie’s statement, has been expressed to us many times by others.
"We have spent a considerable amount of time over the past few years engaging not only with our patients but also, various community groups, at events and holding road-shows across the borough.
"It was heartening and encouraging to hear just how many people had been touched, directly or indirectly by St. Luke’s, and demonstrated their support for this application.
"We will in the coming months and years continue to engage with our community as before and I would like to offer an open invitation to any group or company who wish a representative from St, Luke’s Hospice to attend their meeting, function or event to discuss this project or any aspect of our work to telephone Marilyn Debattista on 01268 524973.
