A NEW service called St Michael’s Home Care was officially launched last week.

One of the aims of the new business venture is to help fund the expansion of services provided by St Michael’s Hospice.

Its chief executive David Monkman explained to guests, which included the mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Councillor Anne Court, why the hospice, which is a registered charity, has set up the homecare business.

He said: “The hospice has a very ambitious five year plan – the main thrust of which is to expand Hospice at Home service by four fold.

“We intend to enhance this service by employing more nurses, physios, occupation therapists, social workers as well as doctors, so that people who want to stay at home can stay at home.”

Mr Monkman added: “All the evidence suggests that people who require end of life palliative care, prefer to be cared for at home.

“But to fund that is going to cost an extra £500,000.

“We don’t think our current ways of raising money, through our retail shops, lottery and general fundraising will raise all of that “So we had to think of a way of generating that money, but we wanted to do this while providing something that helps the community.

“We wanted to provide an agency to provide high quality care to people which is holistic and individually tailored and at an affordable price.”

Explaining that St Michael’s Home Care, which is based in Priestly Road, has in fact been trading since April, Mr Monkman said: “The agency has grown very rapidly providing 450 hours of care and all the evidence suggests that we are providing a high quality service.”

That is an issue that is very close to the heart of Dariusz Motyka, who is the registered manager of St Michael’s Home Care.

He spoke about the core values of the business, which include quality, compassion, respect professionalism and reliability.

Reflecting on the launch event, Mr Motyka said: “I was thrilled to have met and conversed with the mayor, individuals representing various community groups, solicitors, accountants, social services, care providers, and not forgetting the St. Michael’s Hospice team.

“It was also wonderful to be able to welcome some of our clients and their families, to what was a great afternoon.”

Praising his team he said: “ I feel privileged to be heading this fantastic initiative and I am passionate about providing a high level of service that is unique to an individual’s needs, supporting them in their own home for as long as practically possible.

Whilst also providing a high level of care, the uniqueness of St. Michael’s Home Care is all profits generated through our operations are passed directly to the hospice, benefiting the community on three different fronts.”