Nusrat Ghani MP Meets Staff and Patients During Festive Visit to Hospice in the Weald, Five Ashes

Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald, heard first-hand how Hospice in the Weald’s free care and support is transforming lives as she visited its Hospice in Five Ashes on Friday (12th).

During the tour of the building, the MP, who is also a Hospice Patron, heard about recent developments, including the reopening of inpatient services at Five Ashes, following successful staff recruitment and upgraded facilities and the Hospice’s plans for the future. She met with staff, volunteers, patients and families, including Pauline Pullen, who told her about her experience of care.

Pauline said: “It’s amazing here, but somewhere that we perhaps take for granted. It’s far better than I ever knew. I came here in such pain, but with help from the nurses and doctors here they’ve got it under control so that I can be comfortable. They are absolutely amazing. I hope they get enough funding to keep these places going. The knowledge and care you receive is so much more than anywhere else. They have the time to care.”

Nick Farthing, the Hospice’s Chief Executive, showed the MP plans for the Hospice’s transformation programme, which includes the major refurbishment of its site in Pembury and the creation of a centre for children and young people in Five Ashes. They also discussed Hospice funding, with Nick explaining that an average of just 13% of Hospice in the Weald’s income comes from statutory funding – far less than is generated through its charity shops.  This means the Hospice needs to raise £9 million each year (£25,000 every day) to run its free services.

Nusrat Ghani MP said: “Hospice in the Weald is a fantastic local charity and I am proud to have been supporting them for many years since my first election as the local MP in 2015. They are a valuable source of support for adults and children facing life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and I am pleased that following successful staff recruitment and upgraded facilities, the Five Ashes site is now extending its free palliative care to support patients with more complex health needs. I would like to thank the leadership and all the staff and volunteers at the Five Ashes site for providing the best possible personalised and compassionate care for all patients and their families.”

The MP also added a personal touch by placing a dedicated star on the Hospice’s Light up a Life memorial Christmas tree, joining those remembering loved ones over the festive season.

Nick Farthing, Chief Executive at Hospice in the Weald, said: “We were delighted to welcome Nusrat Ghani MP to see the impact of our care and recent improvements at Five Ashes. It was heartening to showcase how our teams work tirelessly to provide free, compassionate specialist support to patients and their families and to share our vision for developing our services even further.”