The first Evening Meeting of 2018 on Monday 22nd January at Maidenhead Golf Club saw a presentation by Debbie Raven, Chief Executive of the Thames Hospice in Windsor. Debbie is a retired professional nurse of 30 years experience, and spoke to our club members about the work of the Hospice. She explained that the standard of support provided by her team was “second to none” and not a day goes by when she doesn't feel humbled by the humanity of hospice care. In all her years of caring for patients and their loved ones, she has never found a more inspirational place to work.
Thames Hospice, based in Windsor, is the only adult hospice servicing East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire and is an integral part of our community. The wonderful team of staff and volunteers demonstrate on a daily basis an incredible level of commitment and passion for their work. Patients and their families are all unique - and it is so uplifting to see the dedicated, professional and compassionate care they receive.
Whether staying on the In-patient Unit, accessing day therapies or being cared for in their own homes everyone is offered the exemplary care and support we would all want for our loved ones. Our community expects the very best and she is proud to lead a team that delivers exactly that.
However, they have a significant problem. The Hospice, first opened 30 years ago, is no longer able to keep up with the volume of people who need their care and services. Pine Lodge (the current Hospice) - has been added to, altered and expanded many times and cannot be adapted further. Patient numbers are increasing dramatically and those patients are arriving with more complex and challenging medical conditions.
Put simply, the building is holding them back from doing their vital work. They need a new, purpose built hospice that will serve the needs of the community now and into the future, to both increase substantially the number of beds to meet projected demand and to improve and modernise facilities. They have acquired a site in Bray, just off the Windsor Road in the heart of the community and planning permission to proceed has been agreed. Through careful financial planning they have been able to put aside a large part of the £18 million needed to build this new home capable of meeting the challenges of the future. However, £6 million is still needed to complete the project.
Thames Hospice, based in Windsor, is the only adult hospice servicing East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire and is an integral part of our community. The wonderful team of staff and volunteers demonstrate on a daily basis an incredible level of commitment and passion for their work. Patients and their families are all unique - and it is so uplifting to see the dedicated, professional and compassionate care they receive.
Whether staying on the In-patient Unit, accessing day therapies or being cared for in their own homes everyone is offered the exemplary care and support we would all want for our loved ones. Our community expects the very best and she is proud to lead a team that delivers exactly that.
However, they have a significant problem. The Hospice, first opened 30 years ago, is no longer able to keep up with the volume of people who need their care and services. Pine Lodge (the current Hospice) - has been added to, altered and expanded many times and cannot be adapted further. Patient numbers are increasing dramatically and those patients are arriving with more complex and challenging medical conditions.
Put simply, the building is holding them back from doing their vital work. They need a new, purpose built hospice that will serve the needs of the community now and into the future, to both increase substantially the number of beds to meet projected demand and to improve and modernise facilities. They have acquired a site in Bray, just off the Windsor Road in the heart of the community and planning permission to proceed has been agreed. Through careful financial planning they have been able to put aside a large part of the £18 million needed to build this new home capable of meeting the challenges of the future. However, £6 million is still needed to complete the project.
 | The photograph shows our Rotary President, Gurdip Bahra presenting Debbie with a cheque from the Rotary Club of Maidenhead as a contribution to that worthy cause. An inspirational presentation and one with which the whole audience could empathise. |