25th Anniversary Celebration - Saturday 4th September 2010

Help us celebrate 25 years of continuous 24hr care with a spectacular concert and fireworks display in the stunning surroundings of WEST WYCOMBE PARK.
More details to follow.

A message from our President,
Moira Rennie:

The world seems a much smaller place in 2010 than it did in 1985. Advancing technology means we can communicate more easily and we have expert info rmation at our fingertips. Our medical professionals can diagnose and treat terminally ill patients for longer, which means the need for end-of-life nursing care is even stronger than it was 25 years ago.

I am extremely proud of how the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home has expanded and adapted to our changing world.

In 1985 when Iain and I realised that no hospital treatment would alter his medical condition and the time left to him would be limited, we chose to go home to our family, with friends close by. With no formalised hospice at home services available back then, we were only able to keep Iain at home with the consent of our GP, Dr Alan Dellow, and the compassion, dignity and care provided to us by five hospice-trained nurses - Maureen Bryant, Thelma Steer, Margaret Seale, Daphne Vessey and Mary Robson. Those remarkable ladies were determined that more people should have the option of staying at home during their final days, and they established a formal hospice at home service, which they named in Iain's memory.

The fact that, 25 years later, almost 10,000 patients have been able to make that same choice is testament not only to our incredible nurses, but to those who had the vision, the skills and dedication to make it happen.

The first nursing meetings were held in Mary and Eric Robson's home, and the support of the individual patients and families was our first priority. The nurses met regularly, and the emotional support of all involved with such sensitive circumstances was paramount. Today, because of wonderful benefactors, we are housed and work from three centres, our annual patient lists around 8-900 and we are fielding five nursing teams with over 50 nurses. Administration is busy and carefully controlled, with efficiency at the forefront of all planning.

It has been a primary requirement that our Iain Rennie nurses are fully trained in the latest techniques and are up to date on all new initiatives in palliative care. In 1991 a nurse tutor was identified to support this and in 1994 we appointed Elaine Coleridge-Smith who planned and initiated our training structures. These have now expanded and developed and are currently managed by Helen Joels and overseen by Sue Varvel , a nurse of 22 years service with Iain Rennie and our current Director of Nursing. I am particularly proud of the IRHH Conference Days which started in 1995 and give a platform to our groundbreaking experience nationally.

From the beginning, money was raised in very diverse ways, through a network of support from people who had close knowledge of the specialist care we were providing locally. Musical soirees and concerts were happily attended; Rowena Dean (who later became our first Chief Executive) and Deborah James served smart dinners above John Bly's shop in Tring; Robert Breakwell , now our Chief Executive, organised a spectacular Sgt Pepper pop concert in Berkhamsted which continues to this day and was instrumental in starting the Pepper Nursing service.

At times, we have made particular appeals and the response has been overwhelming. Coffee mornings, open gardens and afternoon teas, collections in local pubs, running a half marathon in Tylers Green, cycling the length of UK, the Mayors of High Wycombe, Hemel & Dacorum made us their charity of the year, as did Wycombe Wanderers Football Club. There have been memorable themed Gala Balls, musical concerts with superb artistes and in lovely locations, Light Up A Life and the Memorial Woodlands. Ideas, time and wonderful support has been so generously given to ensure the service survives. Today too, we receive funding from trust donations, legacies and from major companies in the area.

Credit must also go to Peggy Bainbridge who started off with a market stall in Tring on a Tuesday and through dogged determination, started our shop empire in 1993. You will see how beneficial the shops are to our funding and they also provide a visible sign of IRHH in their communities. The enthusiastic support from our shop volunteers ensure these go from strength to strength.

It was a great privilege for me to take part in the Chilterns 3 Peaks Challenge in September 2009. On a perfect autumn day, over 1,000 people, some with their dogs, gathered to walk these beautiful hills. It was so amazing to see a river of white shirts walking over the hills on a Sunday morning and the end result was over £80,000 raised - a testament to the level of support we enjoy from our local community.

As we enter our 25th year and reflect on our achievements, it is quite inspiring to consider how the IRHH has made an enormous difference to so many families. However we must not become complacent; instead we must use the inspiration to take our wonderful organisation forward and to carry on providing people in the Chilterns area with the exceptional nursing care they have come to expect and, of course, deserve. It is vitally important that we embrace the changes that the next 25 years will inevitably bring.

If you, or anyone you know, can help us - either as a nurse, as a volunteer, or by helping us raise the funds we need - please get in touch with our office (01494 877200) or indeed you can email us at info@irhh.org

Congratulations and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been involved with the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home over the last 25 years. We wouldn't be able to carry on caring without you .

Moira Rennie
President, Iain Rennie Hospice at Home