Havens Hospice investigating after Facebook insult (From Echo)
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Southend hospice investigating apparent staff comments
9:00am Wednesday 24th October 2012 in News By David Trayner
An artist impression of the proposed new hospice
HAVENS Hospice has apologised and launched an investigation after a member of staff appeared to threaten to withhold a bed from a critic of its application for a new building on green belt land.
The hospice has apologised after a Facebook user calling herself Nicki Smith, who is a junior member of staff, said a man who criticised the charity’s decision to appeal Southend Council’s refusal of its application for a new £15 million facility off Belton Way West, Leigh, would be unwelcome to a hospice bed.
The Facebook user insulted Barry Jones, of Leigh, using a sexual obscenity after he said the charity was wasting donating funds by appealing the decision, then said: “i’ll remember that if yr name ever comes up on th referral board and theres only 1 bed left eh...u won’t be welcome[sic]”
Mr Jones said: “I was surprised and disappointed. It shows them in a bad light.
“If that’s an example of their attitude, it’s a little self-serving. It’s not what you would expect.”
Hospice boss Andy Smith said: “We are shocked and appalled that a member of our staff appears to have acted in this way.
“There has been much debate about our plans to build a new hospice, and we have been open to listening to all views, but offensive comments, including abuse and threats to deny access to care are completely unacceptable. We are carrying out a full and immediate investigation, and will take appropriate action to deal with this.
“Patients in need of a bed at the hospice are assessed on their clinical needs only, by a team of specialist nurses and doctors. We do not discriminate.
“On behalf of the organisation, I must extend our unreserved apology to Mr Jones and to those offended by the content in question.”
Comments(14)
Expat Of
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10:55am Wed 24 Oct 12
PRoch
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11:29am Wed 24 Oct 12
alimac69
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11:39am Wed 24 Oct 12
Brunning999
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4:45pm Wed 24 Oct 12
alimac69 wrote:Because it is to small an area, plus knocking down and rebuilding is costly.
Why do they have to build on a new site why can't the existing one be added to? Is it some sort of tax avoidance thing to save themselves money if they build new?
firedog
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4:48pm Wed 24 Oct 12
runner lyons
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5:04pm Wed 24 Oct 12
Whatthe* wrote:Havens do a first class job. They need better resources to do an even better job. If you have used them before you would know what a great job they are doing. They were great with my mother but they need better facilites. I support the memeber of staff that had the balls to say something. They should not be investigated but given a medal. The green belt would be a great place to die peacefully and that is all we want for our loved ones.
The person who wrote the twitter comments should appologise. This is a highly emmotional subject.
Opposers get over yourself one day you may need Havens help then you will know why staff are so passionate over this subject.
I am so greatful to Havens due to my mums mobility she found it very difficult getting into the building. This caused her much pain this is what needs to be avioded. Stop blaming staff Mr Jones and see it from a diffrent piont of view AS ONE DAY IT COULD BE YOU OR A LOVED ONE..
notinwestcliffanymore
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6:05pm Wed 24 Oct 12
Rollocks
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6:48pm Wed 24 Oct 12
runner lyons wrote:Green belt is a field why is that a better place to die?
Whatthe* wrote:Havens do a first class job. They need better resources to do an even better job. If you have used them before you would know what a great job they are doing. They were great with my mother but they need better facilites. I support the memeber of staff that had the balls to say something. They should not be investigated but given a medal. The green belt would be a great place to die peacefully and that is all we want for our loved ones.
The person who wrote the twitter comments should appologise. This is a highly emmotional subject.
Opposers get over yourself one day you may need Havens help then you will know why staff are so passionate over this subject.
I am so greatful to Havens due to my mums mobility she found it very difficult getting into the building. This caused her much pain this is what needs to be avioded. Stop blaming staff Mr Jones and see it from a diffrent piont of view AS ONE DAY IT COULD BE YOU OR A LOVED ONE..
APR
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7:46pm Wed 24 Oct 12
runner lyons
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7:58am Thu 25 Oct 12
e.
You truly dont understand and have missed the piont. The proposed location is top class and very peaceful. The Havens location now is too small my mother was unable to walk so had to be lifted on a trolly. This was difficult and caused her a lot of pain for her let alone her dignity. When your loved ones are dying they spend a lot of time in bed. So the window they look out of is very important it needs to be relaxing and peaceful this is a very scary time for all concerned. Rollocks notinwestclifanymore and Mr Jones one day you will know. Havens will not lose any support those that have experianced them never forget.
perini
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9:56am Thu 25 Oct 12
runner lyons wrote:As said - go and die in a field if the view is that important!
Hey Rollocks and notinwestcliffanymor e. You truly dont understand and have missed the piont. The proposed location is top class and very peaceful. The Havens location now is too small my mother was unable to walk so had to be lifted on a trolly. This was difficult and caused her a lot of pain for her let alone her dignity. When your loved ones are dying they spend a lot of time in bed. So the window they look out of is very important it needs to be relaxing and peaceful this is a very scary time for all concerned. Rollocks notinwestclifanymore and Mr Jones one day you will know. Havens will not lose any support those that have experianced them never forget.
Ivanna Goodhump
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4:09pm Thu 25 Oct 12
~
One important issue is that should they get permission and then during construction incur massive cost overuns or a funding crisis, the whole charity could collapse.
With an already desecrated site and half built building the Council would then no doubt have to allow a developer to complete the project as residential. The same might occur if the Charity ceases to exist a number of years after the building is completed and we are left with a white elephant and destroyed Green Belt.
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The Council should make it clear to Little Havens that if they were ever to get permission for the Belton Way site it would come with the condition that they must lodge a finance bond with the Council of sufficient size that it would allow the cliffs to be returned to their current condition if the charity fails during or after construction or the site is ever "outgrown".
~
This should stop any further attempts and focus this charities mind on being a little more circumspect with its finances.
Elephantman2
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6:03pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Facts:
Green Belt Land
Business wants to develop on it
Many residents object
Grow up and recognize this for what it is. The fact that this business is a charity that looks after the terminally ill is irrelavnt to the argument.
Whatthe* says...
10:19am Wed 24 Oct 12
This is a highly emmotional subject.