Redevelopment
Click here for the latest updates and photos of the redevelopment.
Why are we redeveloping Clarkson House?
In Jersey annually approximately 900 people are diagnosed with cancer and motor neurone disease and around 200 people die from cancer a year. The demographic evidence clearly indicates in the coming years the island will face significant changes in terms of the number of people requiring palliative care. In large part this is due to the age profile of the population and the expected increase in demand is due to the number of so called "baby boomers" who were born in, or migrated to, Jersey. Consequently, it is predicted that the number of deaths in Jersey will increase by 30% from a recent low of 720 per annum to 935 by the year 2030, assuming no net inward migration. It is predicted that a quarter of these will die of cancer. Forewarned is forearmed and as such, we are investing and planning for the future in order to give islanders the very best possible service that we can offer.
Jersey Hospice Care has operated from its current site at Clarkson House, Mont Cochon, since 1995. Given increasing demands on our services and limited space, the capacity of Jersey Hospice Care to respond to all the needs of patients and bereaved clients is compromised. Jersey Hospice Care has now outgrown the building and we have decided to make the best use of our beautiful setting and extend rather than relocate.
What will the redevelopment involve?
The project will see the building of a new entrance, car park, In-Patient Unit, Home Care and Community Bereavement Service facilities. The number of bedrooms in the In-Patient Unit will be doubled to 12 and a new improved Day Hospice and an Education Centre will be created. An integral part of the proposal is the enhancement of the landscaped gardens which are so much a part of Clarkson House.
The building project, based upon current projections, is expected to cost around £12 million but the work will be phased to ensure we minimise disruption to patients and extend gradually as we have the funds.
In January 2010, the States of Jersey Fiscal Stimulus Initiative awarded us 2.6 million pounds in order to accelerate progress on the redevelopment which means we have been able to start the first phase, to create a new car park and Hospice entrance, earlier than intended. Work on the next phase will start in October 2010. This award was a one-off made by the States as part of their measures to protect the local economy in time of recession; Jersey Hospice Care remains an independent charity and we still rely 100% on the kindness of our supporters to fund our running costs as well as the remaining money needed to fund our redevelopment.
We have some money in our reserves but as we receive no funding from the States of Jersey, Cancer Research, the Marie Curie Cancer Care or Macmillan Cancer Support, we are appealing to islanders to call on their support and generosity to help us reach our target.
A photo of the model that has been made, showing how the redeveloped Clarkson House will look (the original Clarkson House has the red roof)