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The Ministry for Social Policy and Children's Rights continued to strengthen its commitment to the community, this time by extending and strengthening a social agreement with the Hospice Foundation.
This foundation works hard to provide dignity and the highest quality palliative care and support to people with terminal illnesses, as well as their families.
Minister Michael Falzon announced that this new agreement covers two services that go beyond the medical aspect. These services will offer emotional and psychological support, both individually and in groups, from social workers, counsellors and other social workers.
This agreement also strengthens the service of professional care assistants who go to patients' homes. Furthermore, part of this agreement went directly to St Michael's Hospice, a new facility containing 16 beds, with private rooms and facilities. These state of the art rooms all overlook the garden, with this environment continuing to give dignity to these patients who are suffering from terminal illnesses.
"Today we signed the third agreement, with funding of over two million euros, an increase of over 62.5% on the existing agreement. The Hospice has "The commitment, work and dedication to fulfilling its mission. Therefore, we are prepared to continue strengthening the agreements we have with this NGO," said Minister Michael Falzon.
Bernadette Bonnici Kind, Chairperson of the Hospice, stressed how this agreement will continue to support community services, particularly the care assistant service in patients' own homes, which provides that respite to families. "Last year we provided 33,000 hours of care assistant in homes and over 4,000 hours of analysis and psychosocial support, mainly through counselling," said Ms Bonnici Kind.
