Our ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic

As the Covid-19 pandemic took hold of the country, our vision and mission remained the same, but we had to review how this could be delivered to ensure we were able to provide our services safely and effectively. In response, we closed our Inpatient Unit and moved all our services out into the community. Our staff were moved into three main locality care teams known as north, south, and central.

This approach is still in place today, and following a formal review, we have decided to retain this way of working as our new clinical model.

So what does this mean for our community?

The mid-Essex community has been split into three main areas; north, south, and central. Within each area, there is a
specialist team made up of clinical nurse specialists, registered nurses, health care assistants, doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, navigators and family support. This enables the teams to work in an integrated way to support a more holistic approach to care. Logistically it means that by having staff based in the community we are able to reduce travel time, enabling us to spend more time caring for our patients and their families, provide continuity in care provision and continue to minimise the risk of spreading infection We are currently developing our dementia and frailty services, and we will keep you updated on our progress over the coming months.

Are you still providing bereavement support?

Throughout the pandemic Farleigh bereavement services have continued to provide support for both adults and children regardless of whether their loved one was known to Farleigh or not. The pandemic has created another level of grief for those who are bereaved when at times they were unable to be with their loved one at the end or to have a the funeral service that they wished to have. Our bereavement service is here for you. For more information and support call our bereavement team on 01245 457308.

Will you still have an Inpatient Unit?

Due to the ongoing pandemic, we are focusing on delivering our care in the community. We have therefore decided during the second wave to once again temporarily close our Inpatient Unit until spring 2021. During this period we will trial a ‘Virtual Ward’ model where we will provide an enhanced level of Hospice at Home care, for up to 24hrs per day, for the patients who have a higher level of nursing need.

Are you still planning on opening a hospice in Maldon?

At the end of last year, Farleigh announced the purchase of a new hospice in Maldon. The new premises, located in Mill Road, is already being used as a community base by our South Locality Care Team. We are working with a local architect and are moving forward to the planning stage for a full refurbishment and extension of this premises for use by patients, carers and bereaved clients in the future. To enable us to move this forward, we will be launching a fundraising campaign to help us raise the additional funds we need to complete the refurbishment.

How do I access Farleigh Services?

This has not changed. You can still self-refer to our services by calling our Advice Line on 01245 455478 (8am to 8pm), 7 days a week. Alternatively, your health care professional can refer you on your behalf. For more information visit http://www.farleighhospice.org/referrals