COVID -19 Circuit Break Update

As key workers, both our clinical and support staff teams will continue to support  our community. Working closely with colleagues at the DHSC and in partnership with other third sector and community networks we will still do all we can during this period of ‘COVID-19 circuit break’ to continue to provide care to those in need.  

It is important in the current situation that we take all reasonable steps to protect the wellbeing of those using our services, our staff and volunteers.

Reacting to the announcement about the COVID-19 circuit break on 5^th January 2021, Anne Mills, Chief Executive at Hospice Isle of Man, said:

“Like so many other countries, we are again facing the challenges of COVID-19 on our island. With confirmation yesterday evening that there is now a risk of community wide transmission of the virus.  

“We are taking steps to escalate and accelerate our plans to ensure we continue to provide services to those patients who have regular support needs, and to provide protection for our valuable staff and volunteers from the spread of infection.

Our Hospice response to the COVID-19 circuit break is as follows:

• Named Hospice Lead for the operational management and co-ordination of Covid-19 response, Tracy Broom, Director of Transformation and Partnerships/Deputy CEO.
• Our volunteers have been asked to stay at home
• We are contacting all our patients to implement our COVID-19 Care Plan and access individual needs
• Core staff will remain in our building as key workers to ensure we are still here for our community
• We will refocus out-patient clinics to tele-health and remote management
• Our shops, warehouse and café will close as of Thursday 7^th January in line with government guidance
• We are helping to coordinate a community response in the
  Isle of Man to the Coronavirus pandemic www.helpout.im
• All our fundraising, social and community events from Thursday 7^th January over the next 21 days have been postponed. We are contacting those involved with these events directly
• We have postponed our Christmas Tree collection and are contacting everyone who booked a tree collection.

“As ever, we remain committed to providing the best quality End of Life Care to the people of our island who are living with a terminal or life-limiting condition, however realise that our help and expertise will continue to be invaluable in a wider setting. All temporary changes to our services for both the public and health professionals are signposted on our website.  Crucially we are dependent on our fantastic base of supporters and need your help more than ever to help find innovative ways of fundraising so that your island Hospice can continue to deliver vital services.

Anne also stressed:

That along with the Board of Governors and Director of Finance, we will be continuously assessing the risks to Business Continuity in light of this latest threat from Covid-19 and wishes to thank all our wonderful supporters for their continuous generosity and belief in our island Hospice”.