North East London Integrated Care Board, which commissions NHS services, has published a statement saying Richard House Children’s Hospice in Newham will close in December 18.
Both Hospice UK and the charity Together For Short Lives yesterday reported that Richard House Children’s Hospice in Newham will close at the end of December.
In a statement online, the board said: “The Trustees of Richard House children’s hospice in Newham have announced they are closing on December 18.
“We have been working closely with Richard House for several months in the hope of finding ways to secure its future.
“Unfortunately, despite funding the hospice to the maximum level we are permitted to, exploring merger options and continuing to work with them on other solutions, its trustees have now notified us that they believe the challenges it faces are simply too great.
“They as a board took the difficult decision to close on 18 December and subsequently informed us.”
Staff at two of the charity’s shops have indicated they are closing today.
The hospice has not yet responded to this paper’s request for comment.
In September, Richard House CEO Paul Richards told the BBC that the organisation needed to find £1.2 million before the end of the year.
He said at the time: “We’ve managed to raise some of those funds already through our own initiatives, but there’s a further £338,000 to find before December.
“We’re at the point where we are very seriously looking at having to turn people away.”
An employee at the charity shop in Elm Parade, Elm Park, told the Recorder that the branch was closing permanently today (December 12).
She said the organisation had gone into administration and other branches would be closing too.
A post made in public Facebook group ‘Richard House Upminster Shop’ states that the branch in Corbets Tey Road will also close for good today.
The Recorder tried to call the branches in Upminster and Barking but received no answer.
Nick Carroll, chief executive of children’s charity Together for Short Lives yesterday said the closure was “very sad news” for families of children being cared for by Richard House as well as for staff who provide the care.
He said: “It is now vital that the children and families currently being supported by Richard House receive the care they need, when and where they need it.
“Together for Short Lives is committed to working with children’s palliative care services in East London, in hospitals, community and children’s hospice settings, to do whatever we can to help make sure this happens.
“While families should continue to work with their care teams in the first instance, Together for Short Lives’ Family Support Hub is also available to any families who are affected by the news or would like to know more about the support available to them.”
Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK, said yesterday: “We’re saddened by news that the Board of Trustees at Richard House Children’s Hospice have decided to close the charity, which has supported children and their families in east London for over 25 years.
“The most important thing is that no one using their essential care misses out, and that there is no disruption to services.
“We’re confident that neighbouring children’s hospice, Haven House, will cover all key services – end of life care, crisis respite care and step down care – so children and their families remain supported.”
Richard House was opened in 2000 by Anthea Hare, a former paediatric nurse at the Royal London Hospital at Whitechapel.
The hospice’s website says: “The Trustees of Richard House Children’s Hospice have completed their review of our strategy, which involves looking at our current services and future activities
“A further announcement will be made by mid-December.”
Richard House Children’s Hospice has been contacted for comment.
