dame felicity lott cbe, patron of fesh
We are thrilled that Dame Felicity Lott CBE has agreed to become a Patron of FESH and thank her for her support.
“Whose Oscar Is It Anyway?” -
Hollywood high jinks at Firle Place
Preparations for a sizzling evening of music and comedy are full speed ahead at Firle Place. A performance of “Whose Oscar Is It Anyway?” from the Golden Age of Hollywood will be performed on 5th June to raise funds for local hospices. Firle Place, the home of the Gage family for over 500 years, is an exquisite country estate nestled under the Downs and guests are invited to picnic in the gardens before the performance which will take place in the beautiful 18th century indoor riding school. The sparkling cast has performed extensively in theatre, film, radio and prime time television and the black-tie evening includes a thirty-minute complimentary champagne interval said to be "the best drinks party in the Sussex social calendar" which has generously sponsored by local chartered accountants and tax advisers, Creaseys.
In keeping with the Oscars theme Virgin Atlantic Airlines has generously donated two return tickets to Los Angeles which have been combined with three nights stay at the luxury 5 star Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunset Boulevard and a tour of one of the major studios to form a Hollywood package which will be auctioned at the event by celebrity auctioneer James Braxton.
The evening is expected to raise over £60,000 for the nine hospices that serve the people of East Sussex. FESH Chairman Kathy Gore says “The enormous support we receive from local people is evidence of their appreciation of the invaluable work our hospices do”.
Tickets cost £60 (priority seating) and £50. ALL TICKETS SOLD OUT To go on the waiting list please contact Mrs Dianne Steele by telephone on 01435 813630 or by email at disteele@talktalk.net.
Sponsorship and programme advertising opportunities are available. If interested please call Kathy Gore on 01825 890494
christmas fair
The Christmas Fair in December 2009 raised over £5,000 and was commented on as being "One of the most enjoyable to date."
A MAGICAL EXPERIENCE AT PASHLEY MANOR
Ben Elton rocked the cream of Sussex society when he compered a truly magical evening at Pashley Manor, Ticehurst on 18th July. His outrageously non-PC humour had the audience rolling in the aisles and started the show off running – a baton the cast grasped firmly and delivered spectacularly.
The black tie event showcased the extraordinary talents of the next generation of stars from the UK’s leading fame academy, Arts Educational Schools London (“Arts Ed”), whose president is Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber. The young cast, directed by Chris Hocking, wowed and enchanted the 500 guests with their vibrant and energetic song and dance routines from hit musicals such as Grease, Les Miserables, High School Musical and Mamma Mia!
The evening, which was sponsored by The Peter Stormonth Darling Charitable Trust and local accountants and tax advisors, Creaseys, raised £61,800 for the hospices serving the people of East Sussex and Brighton & Hove. Organiser and Chairman of the Friends of East Sussex Hospices, Kathy Gore, said “This is a fantastic achievement particularly in the current financial climate. It is though, a drop in the ocean compared to the £33.5 million these hospices need to operate this year. Many are currently facing cutbacks which will inevitably impact the care they can deliver to patients and their families. This wonderful result, however, reflects the massive will to support our local hospices.
The following hospices are supported by the Friends of East Sussex Hospices
Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice
Demelza Hospice Care For Children
Hospice in the Weald
Leo House at Home
St. Catherine’s Hospice
St. Michael’s Hospice
St. Peter & St. James Hospice
St. Wilfrid’s Hospice
The Martlets Hospice
January 19, 2009
Hospices key to delivering End of Life Care Strategy
Download - Press Release
Download - Lord Darzi's Presentation
Download - Dr Peter Greene's Presentation Notes
Download - Kristiina Parkinson's Presentation Notes
Download - Shaun O'Leary's Presentation Notes
Download - Q&A's Document
A Government Minister has praised the work of hospices in Sussex and called on the National Health Service and local Primary Care Trusts to work more closely with them.
Lord Darzi, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, told a meeting of Sussex hospice representatives, health professionals and politicians that meeting the needs of patients with terminal illnesses was paramount.
“There is a huge mismatch between what many patients and their families desire, to die at home, versus what we were providing them within a hospital setting,” Lord Darzi said.
“That’s what brought my attention to the hospice movement in the first instance. Hospices have done a tremendous job in highlighting the needs of patients.”
Lord Darzi, globally recognised for his pioneering and innovative work in the advancement of micro surgery, published his review of the NHS in June this year. The review included end of life care as one of the eight patient pathways examined by local clinical working groups across England and was supported and complemented by the first ever strategy for end of life care within the NHS, which was published shortly afterwards. The Review will ensure patients and the public benefit from more information and choice in an NHS focussed on delivering high quality personalised care for all. It places a strong emphasis on the NHS working in partnership with other care providers to provide seamless care for patients that reflects their preferences and expectations.
Commenting on the strategy, he told the meeting at the House of Lords: “We have £286million available over the years 2009 to 2011 to make it happen. The majority of this additional funding will filter down to PCTs to ensure it is available to implement local action plans to develop and improve end of life care services. We have through the good work of hospices a way in which we can deliver this. The NHS cannot do it on its own, it must be in partnership.”
Lord Darzi said that details of how the money would be used to improve end of life care would be announced locally around the New Year. He urged the Sussex hospice movement to “hold the NHS to account” to ensure that their patients receive high quality care and have more choice in where they are cared for and die.
Responding on behalf of East Sussex Hospices, Shaun O’Leary welcomed the End of Life Care Strategy that should bring choice to many more patients.
He said: “We have always believed that our hospices provide the highest quality care to patients and their families, and our ambition is to extend this quality to the many.
“Working together, PCT commissioners and providers can pool resources, share expertise and work together to challenge the status quo and make real improvements in this area,” he said.
Mr O’Leary highlighted the constant challenge of funding for the care provided by hospices in East Sussex. He told the meeting: “We must take steps toward more equitable funding arrangements for hospices. The south east of England has nearly the lowest rate of percentage contribution to hospice costs. The national average is 35%, but in our region many receive just 12% or 13%.”
Presentations were made by Kristiina Parkinson, Commissioner for Community Services, Brighton & Hove City Primary Care Trust and Dr Peter Greene, Chairman of the End of Life Strategy Development Board for East Sussex, which has been working with all local stakeholders involved on a blueprint to deliver an improved of end of life care service. Both lauded the excellence of the East Sussex hospices and recognised the importance of engaging fully with them in order to harness their expertise and share good practice initiatives across the PCT’s.
Kathy Gore, chairman of Friends of East Sussex Hospices and organiser of the House of Lords meeting urged the PCTs to cement their relationships with hospices and to move forward with the all-important task of helping patients in their direst hour of need.
Speaking after the meeting on Thursday October 23, she said: “The End of Life Care Strategy clearly shows that patients need choice as to where they spend their final days and hours. The Friends of East Sussex Hospices urges the PCTs to work more closely with the hospice movement to make these changes and bring huge benefits and peace of mind to our patients.”
The reception, which was hosted by Baroness Cumberlege, a Patron of the charity, was jointly sponsored by Mr Michael Chowen and Keep Able Limited, the UK’s leading mobility retailer with nationwide stores – which also provides mobility solutions to national charities including Help the Aged, Grand Charity and Independent Age.
House of Lords Office of Professor the Lord Darzi
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