Emma shares this latest news from the Earl Mountbatten Hospice. Ed
An international partnership between Earl Mountbatten Hospice and Archangel Michael Hospice in Cyprus is being forged, in a bid to share experiences and expertise in caring for the last years of life.
Visits have been exchanged between the two hospices and it is hoped that eventually a more formal twinning arrangement can be put in place.
First anniversary
Mona Skordi, General Manager at Archangel Michael Hospice, came to the Isle of Wight to share more about their facility, which is located in Paphos and has just celebrated its first anniversary.
In a presentation to the Trustees of Earl Mountbatten Hospice, Mona explained that the concept of hospice care is so new to the Greek community that there is no equivalent, single word to describe their service. Instead, it is known as ‘a centre of palliative and respite care’.
Catering for an Island community
After 20 years of working to establish a hospice facility, the state of the art Archangel Michael Hospice was built last year, offering nine bedrooms and care to all those in need, free of charge.
In common with Earl Mountbatten Hospice, they cater for an Island community which helps support and pay for their services by fundraising through their charity shops and events.
Rapid Response Teams
Although the Cypriot hospice does not yet offer a community service, their team is hoping to learn more about caring for the dying in their own homes, through the success of the newly launched Rapid Response Team at Earl Mountbatten Hospice.
The service provides personal care to people and their families, often within hours of being contacted. It supports hundreds of Islanders in the community at any one time, and also helps to get patients out of hospital and into the more suitable and familiar environment of their own home as they come to the end of their life, whenever that may be.
Mona: “Exceeded my expectations”
Speaking about the partnership, Mona Skordi said:
“Over the last year, we have built up a close relationship with Earl Mountbatten Hospice and its CEO Nigel Hartley. We have exchanged visits to both hospices, with the intent of eventually twinning the two hospices.
“This will give us the ability to share experiences, knowledge and possibly enhance each other’s training abilities.
“My visit to the Hospice has exceeded my expectations in reference to the facilities and the staff, as well as the services offered. I felt very welcome and I would like to thank all the staff for their support and great work.”
Supported by the tireless fundraising
Nigel Hartley, Earl Mountbatten’s CEO, said:
“There are many similarities between our two hospices, not least that we are both supported by the tireless fundraising of Island communities.
“There is great mileage in two highly successful organisations working closely together and I’m very much looking forward to continuing to build on our partnership for the benefit of staff, volunteers, patients and their families.”
