LONDON HOSPICE MAINTAINS LEVEL OF CARE DESPITE COVID19
W Bro John Little SLGR reports
A grant from the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) has enabled the St John’s Hospice, which covers parts of Central and North West London, to navigate through an uncertain period since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Hospice has seen admissions increase by up to 20% in the Inpatient Unit.
At the same time, the Hospice@Home team has seen a rise in demand for their services, as more and more patients became isolated due to new government guidelines introduced to restrict the spread of the virus.
With the donation of £1990, the medical team was able to support patients in their own homes, to relieve the strains put on their mental well-being by the lockdown, and to ensure that vulnerable members of society are kept safe.
St John’s Hospice critically relies on voluntary donations, grants and legacies to continue providing free care to patients living with terminal illnesses. The cancellation of fundraising events during the Coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating effect on the Hospice which now needs to account for the £1.3 million income deficit created as a result of the health crisis.
The MCF has had a long-standing relationship with the Hospice, supporting its work since 2002.
Day Care Centre Manager Quote: “As an organisation, we are incredibly grateful for the generous and kind donations such as that from the Masonic Charitable Foundation, that have benefitted our vulnerable patients during this unsettling time. It has made a huge difference in enabling us to provide person-centred bespoke support to meet the individual needs of each patient.”
This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 44 April 2020 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.
Read more articles in the Arena Issue 44.