Martin House in finals for national care award

The Boston Spa-based facility is up against Sherdley Court and St Luke’s Hospice for the award, with the winner due to be announced early next year.

Clair Holdsworth, interim chief executive of Martin House, said: “The care we give to children and young people – along with their families – at the end of life is a cornerstone of what we do.

“So, we are incredibly proud to be shortlisted for this award, which recognises the excellent work our care team does to ensure, giving a child or young person the best possible end of life care, and that families are effectively supported through the most difficult of times.”

Martin House works with families to ensure their child receives end of life care with dignity and comfort, and in the setting of their choice, whether that is at the hospice, in their own homes, or in hospital.

Its care team can work with hospitals to enable rapid discharge, allowing a child to die at home, and helps families prepare advance care plans for end of life care for their children.

Clair added: “Our care is holistic and family-centred, which means we are led by the child and their family through their life, through death and in bereavement.”

She added: “We also support the whole family in bereavement – parents, brothers and sisters, and grandparents – and recognise the different ways in which they grieve for their child.”

Martin House, which cares for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions from across West, North and East Yorkshire, also uniquely provides support to families when a child dies suddenly or unexpectedly, whether or not they were already known to the hospice.

Clair said: “The chance to use one of our cooled bedrooms gives families more time to say goodbye to their child, and they can access our full range of bereavement care, which includes individual counselling and group work for the whole family.”

To find out more about Martin House, visit www.martinhouse.org.uk.