THE new £17m Fair Havens hospice in Southend is to be used to relieve pressure on our over-stretched NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fair Havens plans to hand over 16 beds to the NHS to build capacity in hospitals across the county.

The change in use of the beds, at the hospice on Priory Crescent, Southend, is being completed to allow the NHS to concentrate on saving lives.

Steve Smith, CEO of Havens Hospices, said: “From today we are making adjustments to our hospice care to help support the NHS, so they can concentrate on saving lives.

“Over the last few weeks we have been working with our healthcare partners to help find solutions for freeing up beds in hospitals across Essex.

“We are adapting our hospice care almost hourly to the developments both in the community and within our Havens Hospices family.

“The fact that we’re balancing our essential core hospice care with supporting our NHS is collaborative working at its finest.

“We’re all very proud to play our part in the national effort against the coronavirus pandemic.”

Havens Hospices also confirmed that Little Havens children’s hospice in Thundersley is opening up beds for vulnerable children with complex medical and social needs.

This means that they can be discharged from hospital quicker than usual.

NHS Mid-Essex clinical commissioning group, which funds frontline healthcare, is overseeing this move from Little Havens.

However, bosses also confirmed that Little Havens has been forced to suspend all respite and social activities due to Government advice.

The advice states that the vulnerable should stay at home where possible.

Mr Smith added: “Although these measures mean a huge change in the way we as a charity, and our staff, operate, put simply this is the right thing to do.

“As well as continuing to provide end of life care Little Havens is also opening up beds for vulnerable children with complex medical and social needs to be discharged from hospitals.”

Patients or family members can get a full update on care services provided by the hospices, as well as advice on visiting restrictions, at www.havenshospices.org.uk/coronavirus.