This afternoon I visited St Raphael's Hospice to learn more about the work they do across Sutton and Merton to provide support for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
A vital organisation in our community, St Raphael's care for over 1,000 patients and their families each year and support 1 in 4 of our local population with end-of-life care. This means that whilst we may not be the 1 in 4, it is highly likely that a relative, friend, or neighbour that you know has been. My family have been through St Raphael's care and the support they provided my family and I with during a really difficult time was incredible.
During my visit I also had the opportunity to learn more about St Raphael's funding and their reliance on the support of the public to raise £4.5 million each year. Recent funding has been used to renovate the Hospice's Inpatient Unit (IPU) which now feels warm and welcoming. St Raphael's are also keen to create family rooms to make sure there is ample room for larger families to be together during difficult times.
Thank you again to the CEOs of St Raphael's for demonstrating the scale of the care they provide to our local community and I look forward to continuing to work with the Hospice in the future.
For more information about St Raphael's, please visit their website here.