EPPING FOREST: MP praises hospice on 20th anniversary (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

EPPING FOREST: MP praises hospice on 20th anniversary

10:37am Wednesday 10th February 2010

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EPPING Forest MP Eleanor Laing had paid tribute to the staff at St Clare Hospice, Hastingwood, during a visit to mark its 20th anniversary.

The MP spent the day meeting day therapy patients and talking with workers at the centre, which provides specialist care and support for patients and the families of those suffering with life-limiting illnesses.

She said: “the hospice is an important part of our local community, providing not just the obvious services for its in-patients, but also a wide range of counselling and therapy sessions for out-patients and for families. The atmosphere is great.

“It is full of supportive and understanding people and leaves you with a lovely sense of calm.”

She added: "I have not been here for a few years and I am most impressed to see that the facilities have improved yet again.”

Tanya Curry, director of patient care at St Clare said: “So many people who could benefit from our day therapy service are too afraid to contact us or come and see what we do here.

“Mrs Laing, by meeting the patient’s in our Day Therapy unit, realised what a huge benefit the patients and their families receive by coming to St Clare.”

St Clare's chairman Michael Chapman said: “We are delighted to have Mrs Laing visit us and she has shown great empathy for the special work we deliver here. The Hospice was founded 20 years ago by the local community and funded by the local community.

“We are very grateful for their support that we have received from all our local MPs in that time.”

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