Hospice’s Scholl Academic Centre is helping to support the Island during the COVID-19 situation

Hospice Isle of Man announced on Monday, its plans to support the Island through these challenging and exceptional times. It is working closely with colleagues at the DHSC and in partnership with other third sector and community networks to ensure its important role in continuing to provide care to the Island for anyone living with a life-limiting or terminal condition and to play its part in helping to manage the coronavirus pandemic on the Isle of Man.

 

The Isle of Man Hospice’s Scholl Academic Centre will support the Island in a number of different ways and has already refocused how it continues to best help patients who have regular support needs, and to help protect patients and staff from the spread of infection.

 

It will:

• Refocus its clinical psychologists, bereavement counsellors and children’s psychotherapists to provide patient support via tele-health and remote management.
• Through the Centre’s Dr Hollie Quaye, implement plans to support staff and relatives.
• Involve the Centre’s Dr Giovanna Cruz, an experienced epidemiologist, in working with the Isle of Man Government on clinical modelling for the impact of the virus.
• Give daily virtual support via ZOOM to nursing and residential care settings.
• Implement four hubs across the Island to enable flexible and local community response to End of Life care needs.

 

The UK government has also announced it is funding six new studies into the COVID-19 virus, including testing a vaccine, developing therapies and improving understanding of how to treat the virus. Hospice’s Scholl Academic Centre Chairman Ken Mills, who is also Professor of Experimental Haematology at The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research at Queen’s University Belfast, is one of six eminent global scientists collaborating on the UK Government’s study.

 

From his home on the Isle of Man Professor Mills said:

 

“This project arose from an innovative partnership using drug screening methodology used for leukaemia research combined with novel virology expertise and models. The integration of these two approaches will provide unique new leads to combat the disease.”

 

Anne Mills, Chief Executive at Hospice Isle of Man and Director of the Scholl Academic Centre, added:

 

“Research is an integral part of the work of Hospice Isle of Man and I am delighted that Professor Mills and colleagues have the opportunity of working in the fight against COVID-19. The Scholl Academic Centre recently announced the appointment of Professor John Ellershaw of the Palliative Care Institute in Liverpool as visiting Professor of Palliative Care. I am pleased our Scholl Academic Centre colleagues are able to play a role in these unprecedented and challenging times.”