PLANS for a series of ‘listening and engagement’ events for supporters, volunteers, staff and the wider community have been announced by the trustees of Michael Sobell Hospice.

It is part of a consultation process on the future of palliative and end-of-life care at Sobell, which is attached to Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood.

Rosalind Williams, chair of the MSH charity trustees, said: “Following a review by East and North Herts NHS Trust, the difficult decision was made to relocate the in-patient service of Michael Sobell Hospice to the main hospital block.

 “This decision was made in the best interests of patients and their families and the care that is needed.

"Relocation was because of current concerns about the in-patient unit environment while a permanent solution is sought.

“Hospice day care services remain in the newer part of the building, and that service to patients continues to be fully funded by the charity.

“The charity also continues to fund and support patients in the relocated service.”

A working group has also been set up to consider options.

Concern has been growing over the future of MSH, and on Monday a protest was staged outside Mount Vernon about the transfer of patients.

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Terry Dean, of Ruislip, is leading a campaign to raise awareness of and prevent what supporters see as a route to closing the hospice by East and North Herts NHS. 

He began a petition, which earlier this week had around 8,000 signatures.

There is conflicting evidence about the closure of the in-patient unit.

In a statement, Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Trust, which owns Sobell House, said: “The move has been incorrectly reported as being necessary because of ‘structural problems’.

“An historic structural issue in this building was fully addressed last year, when the whole building was underpinned. We have not been advised of further structural issues by any organisation.

“We have contacted E&NH Trust as a matter of urgency to discuss this and establish what the impact of this move will mean to patients that are referred to the hospice.

Rosalind Williams said:  “We very much appreciate the support shown for the work of the charity with the recent petition, addressed to East and North Herts NHS Trust, as providers of the service.

“As we go forward, we will continue to put the care of local people in the community with palliative and end-of-life care needs at the heart of what we do.”