Birmingham’s John Taylor Hospice is aiming to reach more local families as it launches The Way Ahead, its new Three Year Strategic Plan.
The hospice, which has been at the heart of the city for more than 100 years, will achieve its aim by extending the hours of its Hospice at Home service which cares for people at end of life in their own homes, updating its day service and introducing new clinics.
An expert in providing care to people with a range of conditions including motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis, John Taylor will also expand its non-cancer provision, ensuring more people with terminal illnesses can receive help when, how and where they need it.
Hospice CEO Penny Venables said: “We are really proud of our three year strategy which will help us achieve our mission of a compassionate and dignified death for all.
“We know that John Taylor Hospice can make all the difference as people approach end of life and we are determined to ensure that care is available for more and more people in the future.”
The strategy document, which is available to view or download on the hospice website,also sets out the hospice’s plans to increase income by opening shops and supporting fundraisers in organising events.
“Like most hospices, we receive funding from the NHS but we also need the financial support of people and businesses to ensure we can provide the care we know local families need,” said Penny.
And John Taylor, which was a pathfinder for the national Hospice UK Open Up Hospice Care campaign last year, is also committed to changing society’s perceptions around death and dying.
“The more society talks about death and dying, the more people will demand specialist care which meets their needs,” added Penny. “As a hospice, we have an essential part to play locally and nationally in ensuring end of life care remains a critical part of healthcare funding. We’re also building partnerships with other health providers including hospices to meet local need.”
John Taylor Hospice was founded in 1910 and became part of the NHS in 1948, becoming independent in 2011. It provides care for local families at its hospice in Erdington and in the local community.
Services include its In-Patient Unit, Living Well Centre which provides day services, Well-Being Service and Community Teams including Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Pharmacists and Patient and Family Support Worker.
Penny added: “Our mission is to provide specialist care for people living with a terminal illness and their families and we need to respond to an every changing health environment. The Way Ahead - Our Three Year Strategic Plan provides us with the tools to do that. It is an exciting time for us and we look forward to the changes we will be making to bring our specialist care to more local families.”
