Why are families in east London setting up their own hospice?

Families are establishing a new hospice service because the local Richard House Children's Hospice closed on December 18, leaving a critical gap in care for seriously ill children.

What is the new East London Hospice service?

The new East London Hospice is planned as a 'virtual hospice' that will provide tailored care to families in their homes, offering a potentially more sustainable and personalized support system.

What challenges have families faced since Richard House closed?

Since Richard House closed, families have lost a critical safety net for emergency respite and end-of-life care, and the alternative provision at Haven House has been reported as not fully meeting their children's needs.

Home / Health / Families Launch Virtual Hospice After Closure

Families Launch Virtual Hospice After Closure

31 Jan

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Summary

Local children's hospice Richard House closed on December 18.
Parents are establishing a new 'virtual hospice' service.
The new service aims to provide tailored home-based care.

Families Launch Virtual Hospice After Closure

Families in east London are establishing a new hospice service to care for seriously ill children after the closure of Richard House. The facility in Newham ceased operations on December 18, prompting parents to seek alternative solutions.

In collaboration with former Richard House chief executive Paul Richards, a plan is underway to launch East London Hospice. This innovative "virtual hospice" model aims to provide care directly in families' homes, offering a potentially more sustainable approach than a traditional building.

The closure left a void for families like Kareema Motala's, whose son Jaden has a rare life-limiting condition. She highlighted the loss of a critical safety net for respite and end-of-life care. Other families have been directed to Haven House Children's Hospice, located about 10 miles away, but report it does not fully meet their children's specific needs.