The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House, has been providing care and support to residents of West Norfolk and the Fens for over 30 years. 18 months ago, after a hugely successful fundraising campaign, the charity moved into a state of the art hospice building in Hillington, just outside Kings Lynn.
Since the move there has been an increase of some 75% in the number of patients receiving free care from the charity. By working in conjunction with other care agencies The Norfolk Hospice can now provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for people living with life-shortening conditions. All referrals for Day Therapies, Hospice at Home and Bereavement support is now accessible from a single source.
Recruitment of skilled healthcare workers has already been under way, in order to meet the demands of providing the extra services. Latest additions to the staff include a Social Worker who is focusing on developing care plans to preventre-admission into hospital, and an Education Lead who will work with GP practices to promote the use of the charity’s services.
Recruitment is now set to continue as The Norfolk Hospice is vigorously fundraising specifically to open the area’s first dedicated Inpatient Unit, which will provide 24-hour care to patients, either for respite or terminal care.
Lyndsay Carter, Chief Executive of The Norfolk Hospice said this week, ‘Once full funding for the Inpatient Unit is confirmed a recruitment drive for 20 nurses and healthcare workers will get underway’.
