A hospice has announced they will be reduced services, visits and postponed events, in order to keep patients safe from contraction coronavirus.

St Clare Hospice in Hastingwood, announced their plans following a meeting amongst bosses on how to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak on Friday March 13.

Starting from today, (Monday, March 16) all day therapy groups, clinics and social activities including Café Clare and yoga will no longer run until further notice.

A telephone support service will be offered to for any affected patients, as an alternative contact method.

A statement issued by St Clare Hospice says: “Our priority is to ensure that we take all the necessary steps to minimise the risk of infection with Coronavirus (COVID-19) for patients, families, carers, staff, volunteers and visitors to the Hospice – and aim to ensure that the Hospice remains open.

“Unless you are a member of staff, a volunteer, a patient, or are visiting a patient, we request that you do not visit St Clare Hospice, on the Hastingwood site, for the current time.

“We are continuing to offer an Inpatient Unit service, as well as a Hospice at Home and Community Nursing and Outpatient Service.

“We are taking additional precautions to ensure the safety of our staff and patients, and we would like to offer assurance that St Clare Hospice remains a safe place for patients to visit and stay.”

Anyone who is under the care of the St Clare Hospice at home team, or are receiving other hospice services, is asked to notify St Clare’s team before a visit is arranged.

The hospice has also asked anyone who has visited any of the affected countries detailed by the UK government in the last 14 days to not visit.

Anyone who visits the west Essex and east Herts hospice must ensure they use hand sanitiser in and around the facility and regularly wash your hands.

If you would like to discuss visiting St Clare Hospice with a member of the clinical team, call 01279 773773 or visit https://stclarehospice.org.uk/news_posts/covid-19-coronavirus-update/