Axminster Hospice At Home

At its 2023 AGM, Axminster Hospital League of Friends launched its “Big Goal” to raise sufficient funds to be able to introduce a new at home end of life service. Similar proven services exist in Sidmouth and Seaton and, at the time, Axminster’s funds would not allow them to invest in recruiting nurses without the longer-term future being robust. 

In-depth discussions with Richard Anderson, Community Services Manager from the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust were positive and at the League of Friends annual meeting in May it was announced that the proposal was progressing towards implementation.

Richard and his team have worked diligently to tailor an initial service that will offer palliative care for any patient registered with Axminster Medical Practice that has been diagnosed with 12 months or less to live. The service will start by covering the hours of 8am – 8pm, with dedicated palliative nurses, funded by the Axminster Hospital League of Friends, supported by the community nursing team.

With this positive news, The League plans to open discussions with other local charities to investigate the prospects for expanding the support for the wider family to include bereavement counselling among other possibilities.

The League wishes to thank everyone who has supported them over the years and especially this last year which has enabled them to release this good news.

Whilst this will be the key focus for The League during its development, it will continue to support the hospital and the wider community with new equipment and services as requested and needed.

For more information please contact Helen Arnold, Manager on admin@axmlof.com or 07951 679993