From Jackie Whiller, Northwood:

As a Mountbatten nurse, I wanted to respond to the piece by Nigel Hartley (CP, 21-09-18). I see first hand every day the extraordinary strength of Island families at the most challenging of times.

It is a privilege for me to be able to care and support Islanders facing the end of their lives, and I am so proud of how our team works together for our Island community.

We often talk about the ‘Mountbatten way’ of doing things; as members of staff, we don’t see ourselves as particularly different, but we are very passionate about finding innovative and new ways to support more people. We know not everyone can access hospice care and it’s something that we are all passionate about changing.

On the Isle of Wight, it is a sad fact one in three people can’t — or don’t — currently access our support. No-one should die alone and families should not be left to cope on their own.

And this is why I am looking forward to working in partnership with our colleagues at Countess Mountbatten Hospice in Southampton. It is clear this, too, is a much loved and respected local hospice and I believe that, working together, we will find new ways to further strengthen the care and support that is offered, both to our Island families but also to those on the mainland.

As a fundraiser myself, taking part in many of Mountbatten’s events, it is also reassuring to know any money raised on the Island will stay on the Island. I hope the Island will be as proud as we are to have been invited to share our skills and experience in this way and I, as well as my Mountbatten colleagues, look forward to supporting the Southampton team to reach out to the growing number of people who need our care.