The chief executive of a hospice says her charity is still “financially sustainable” after receiving a petition signed by almost 8,000 people concerned about its future.

Judi Byrne, chief executive officer of the Michael Sobell Hospice Charity, sought to quell fears over the charity’s future after a petition exceeding 7,800 signatures was delivered to her office in Northwood on June 9.

Terry Dean, a campaigner who led the petition, was joined at 9.30am by a group of 24 volunteers and supporters to present the appeal.

But he was told there was nobody to receive the petition as Ms Byrne had left the building.

Terry and his supporters 

Harrow Times:

Mr Dean, whose wife Jane received care from the charity when she was terminally ill with bowel cancer, started the “Save the Michael Sobell Hospice” petition when he discovered the charity’s inpatient service at Mount Vernon Hospital had been moved to the hospital’s cancer centre wards.

The charity published a statement on June 1 citing “major structural problems” had forced the “interim” move, adding it had made the funds available to ensure that no patient receiving palliative care would be affected.

But the Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – which owns Michael Sobell House – published a response on July 1 saying the reason for the move being structural problems was “incorrectly reported”; that an historic structural issue was “fully addressed” in 2017 and that the whole building was underpinned.

When asked whether the Michael Sobell Hospice Charity was still viable, chief executive officer, Judi Byrne, said: “Through prudent management the charity continues to be financially sustainable. Our annual audit process is underway, and the report will be published in due course.”

On the petition, she added: “Mr Dean had not contacted me directly with a request to accept the petition addressed to East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust.”

On July 12, the Michael Sobell Hospice Charity Board of Trustees said it planned to hold “listening and engagement” events for people as part of a review and consultation process on a “future model of care and potential locations”. A working group has also been set up to consider all options presented.

Rosalind Williams, chairman of the board of trustees, said: “Following a review by East and North Herts NHS Trust, and in discussion with the MSHC Board of Trustees, the difficult decision was made to relocate the in-patient service of Michael Sobell Hospice to the main hospital block.

“This decision was made in the best interests of patients and their families, and the care that is needed. The relocation was because of current concerns about the inpatient unit environment whilst a permanent solution is sought.”

She added: “The hospice day care services remain in the newer part of the building, and that service to patients continues to be fully funded by the charity. The charity also continues to fund and support patients in the relocated service.”

“We very much appreciate the support shown for the work of the charity with the recent petition, addressed to East and North Herts NHS Trust as providers of the service. We will continue to put the care of local people in the community with palliative and end of life care needs at the heart of what we do.”

The Michael Sobell Hospice Charity is run by East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust and provides specialised end of life care to people, their families and carers.