Services:

• Older People
• Youth, Children and Families
• Physical Disabilities and Neurological Support
• Palliative and Terminal Care

Cranford Hospice is back to normal after a challenging time at the end of last year when a shortage of doctors meant the number of available beds had to be cut.
The struggle to find palliative care doctors and a restructure of its Leadership Team made for tough times at the Hastings hospice, but with a new executive director, Barry Keane, at the helm and two new doctors on board all seems back on track.
All beds are now open again and being used which is a good thing, Mr Keane said.
``In fact most of the time our beds are used for relatively short stays for people to get their problems sorted out, such as pain relief, before going back out into the community,'' he said.
``At the end of last year we were having to manage some patients in the community with more complex needs than we would have liked.'' We are very grateful for the extra support we received from our colleagues in general practice in particular during that time to ensure good care was maintained.

Mr Keane said they were still awaiting the arrival of a nursing director from the United Kingdom but the new leadership team was in a place to take Cranford to the next level in its development.
``Cranford now has three medical specialist doctors on the staff enabling, in partnership with the Hospital Palliative Care Team, more effective DHB-wide clinical cover.
``That enables an increased capacity for Cranford to be proactive in education and training as well as providing support and advice for other community and hospital clinical staff involved in caring for those living with terminal illness.''