Cutting turf for new Palliative Care East centre
Tuesday 10th April 2012Singer Charlotte Bullen, 20, was digging in the rain to cut the first turf for the new £1.5m Palliative Care East Centre being built at the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston.
The centre will offer information and supportive care, complementary therapies,sychological and spiritual support and advice on social care and financial matters topeople with life-limiting illnesses.
Charlotte, from Belton, said: “It’s a real honour for me to be asked to do this. It’s going to be such an important place for so many people. I did record and sell CDs to help raise money for the Palliative Care East appeal so I was really pleased to be asked to come along and help mark the start of building work. It’s going to be a fantastic place for local people to access information and support."
Peter Franzen, interim chairman of the James Paget University Hospital, said: “We are indebted to all our donors’ generosity and the new service will play an important role in many people’s lives over the years to come. We are looking forward to working with all our partners to help provide a wide range of information and support services in a centre that will be fit for the 21st century.”
Dr Jane Scott, GP for lead for palliative care in Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said:“It is vital that people who are given the diagnosis of a potentially life-limiting illness have access to information and supportive care that helps them live their lives as fully as possible. This centre will be a vital hub for patients and their families and will also support a range of services in the community as well”.
The resource centre and outreach service is a partnership between the James Paget,NHS Norfolk and Waveney, HealthEast, local county councils and the voluntary sector.
The service will offer patients and carers a one-stop-shop service for information and supportive services. The centre will not have beds but will offer a “home from home” environment offering; access to specialist palliative care support and advice, counselling, bereavement services, complementary therapies, welfare advice, and information about life-limiting illnesses.
www.jpaget.nhs.uk
