East London Hospice carries on with its work throughout Covid-19 with the help of a grant from the MCF
W Bro John Little SLGR finds out 

With fundraising from other sources diminishing due to Covid-19, a donation from the Masonic Charitable Foundation has helped an East London hospice continue home visits to patients during the present pandemic and assisted in the continued care of inpatients – thereby providing essential care to some of the most vulnerable people in the community and supporting their families. 

The COVID-19 outbreak has greatly impacted the way the St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney provides care to its patients. Most are already vulnerable and often isolated due to their illness. They are among those most at risk from the virus

The inpatients ward has seen restrictions placed on visiting, with all caregivers now using full PPE and beds having been made available for patients with COVID-19.  

Outpatient and supportive care such as counselling, financial advice and bereavement support have been largely moved to phone and online. The Hospice’s community care palliative team – who provide end of life care in the home – have seen demand increase since the pandemic began.  

St Joseph’s Hospice is one of the oldest hospices in the UK, providing compassionate and specialist rehabilitative and end of life care to people in East London living with life-limiting illness. The hospice has a holistic approach to care – working with patients and their families to provide tailored medical care, emotional support, and practical advice to help patients live the best quality of life possible until their final days.

A Hospice spokesperson comments: ‘Throughout the pandemic, the amazing community palliative care team have been on hand to help with medical concerns relating to life-limiting illness.  The team are out in all weathers, seven days a week, to help with pain, breathlessness, and nausea. They visit up to 60 patients a week – providing social and emotional care.   The team also co-ordinates with other healthcare professionals to ensure all patient needs are taken care of, as well as giving support to the family’.   

 St Joseph’s Hospice receives around 56% of its funding from the local government/NHS – raising the rest through fundraising and retail activities.  Like many charities, the hospice has seen income from traditional fundraising drop as events have been cancelled and shops closed for most of the past year so the donation of £2,875 from The Masonic Charitable Foundation / London Freemasons, at this time is particularly welcome.