ALL Hallows Hospital at Ditchingham, established 137 years ago, enters a new era in its long history next week as the All Hallows Healthcare Trust finally takes over full responsibility for it, its nursing home in Bungay and its day care and treatment centre.

ALL Hallows Hospital at Ditchingham, established 137 years ago, enters a new era in its long history next week as the All Hallows Healthcare Trust finally takes over full responsibility for it, its nursing home in Bungay and its day care and treatment centre.

It was announced in May 2007 that the Sisters were to promote an independent charity to provide the strong leadership and expertise now needed to carry the work of the Hospital, Home and Centre forward and to ensure compliance with the complex requirements of the legislation and regulations relating to medical services.

Following the formation of All Hallows Healthcare Trust, a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee, the trustees who make up the Board of Management have worked alongside the Community but will now take over all responsibility from the Sisters. The link with the Community will be maintained as the Mother Superior, Rev Mother Elizabeth, is a trustee together with two of the Community's nominees, Dr. Peter Kemp, a retired GP from Harleston and Maureen Davies, a former chairman of the Hospital Friends. The other trustees are the board chairman, Colin Pordham, a retired solicitor with a long association with the Community, John Randle of the Hospital Management Trust, Howard Green, a former Chief Executive of South Norfolk Primary Care Trust and David Sprake, a Bungay solicitor.

Mr Pordham said: “For 137 years the Hospital and ancilliary services have been managed by the Community Sisters and I know that it is with some sadness that they now feel the time is right to hand over responsibility to others. Fortunately the link with the Community will be maintained through the Mother Superior and Community nominees on the Board and we are determined to ensure that the ethos of the original establishment is maintained. The Hospital is highly regarded in the area and its reputation has been achieved because we have a devoted and skilled staff. The Board now brings together both the expertise and the experience required to meet the challenges that will lie ahead and to lead this fine institution forward for a future generation”.

He added: “With the Nursing Home offering care for those in need of convalescence or respite or longer stay and the Day Centre providing not only day care on site but also care in the home, All Hallows Healthcare Trust is now able to offer a comprehensive range of medical facilities and support which we hope to expand as needs arise.”

For well over a century the hospital, with its 29 beds, has earned a high reputation particularly for its nursing of long stay patients, palliative and end of life care and the local community justifiably takes great pride in its work. The nursing home in St. John's Road, Bungay was acquired by the Sisters in 1994 and now provides 51 beds while the Day Centre was opened in 2004, built with funding provided by the Friends of All Hallows Hospital. The Centre provides care for 24 patients 365 days a year.