The guest speaker at the annual general meeting of the Paul Sartori Foundation, Pembrokeshire Hospice at Home, was Dr. Andrew Fowell, consultant in palliative care, Gwynedd.

He gave a lively presentation on the palliative care developments in Wales and the recent research taking place. He is a key member of the Welsh Steering Committee which is conducting a mapping exercise on palliative care in Wales. This committee will be reporting directly to the Welsh Assembly.

The chairman of the Foundation, Mrs. Joan Mathias, was delighted to announce at the AGM that the hospice director, Lorna Johns (from Fishguard) is also sitting on this committee representing the voluntary hospice sector in Wales.

Dr. Fowell praised the work of the Foundation and was envious of the achievement of the 24 hour hospice service available. He stressed the need for close working partnerships and stated that new initiatives should be planned with existing services to enhance and add value. The Welsh review recommendations emphasise that there should be a range of core service components available throughout the different health areas, whilst ensuring access to specialist services.

An ideal hospice facility would have access to an integrated home care, day service and in-patient facility. This was music to the years of the Foundation who have been working hard to achieve this aim for a number of years.

The Foundation was able to report on a very busy year. There have been a total number of 305 patients using the hospice with the hours of care reaching 18,000. Both the equipment loan and lymphodoema service have seen a dramatic increase in uptake over the past year.

The largest number of referrals have been received from district nurses, with Withybush Hospital and families following.

"We have gone forward with providing specialised physiotherapy, aromatherapy and lymphodoema services, each service unique in its own right, but assured of its effectiveness by being part of the organic whole which is the Paul Sartori Foundation," said Lorna Johns, hospice director.

The Foundation was pleased to welcome so many to the AGM and are looking forward to an enhancement of the excellent hospice service provided to the community of Pembrokeshire.

Copies of the annual report and information on the charity can be obtained by 'phoning (01437) 763223 or email [email protected]">[email protected]