We were delighted to be visited during the first week of January by Mr Stephen Kinnock MP, Minister of State for Care. Mr Kinnock met with staff and service users to hear more about The Sussex Beacon’s approach to inclusive community-based clinical work with people living with HIV, and the unique role we play in supporting people’s health and wellbeing alongside key NHS partners such as the Lawson Unit and the other HIV clinics across Sussex.

We were particularly privileged to share our plans to evolve our end of life and palliative care, to become the UK’s first dedicated LGBTQ+ hospice with a specialism in HIV. This will ensure that we continue to build upon our legacy of providing compassionate and affirming care to those who suffer the greatest health inequalities.

Joining Mr Kinnock were Chris Ward MP (Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven), Cllr Paul Davies (Chair of Lewes District Council) and Professor Yvonne Gilleece (Honorary Clinical Professor at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, HIV Consultant at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust and Chair of the British HIV Association. Commenting on his visit, Mr Kinnock said “It’s been absolutely brilliant to be here at The Sussex Beacon. It is truly a beacon of hope for the LGBT community. It was wonderful to hear from service users today about the wonderful service they receive here, treated with compassion, dignity and respect and it really does represent the best of our hospice sector”.

Rachel Brett, Chief Executive of The Sussex Beacon, said “We were delighted to share the work of The Sussex Beacon with Stephen Kinnock and are looking forward to building on our legacy of specialist support for people living with HIV, to provide inclusive and dedicated accessible care to our LGBTQ+ community.

“It has been a tough year for the charity, but we are steadfast in our commitment to meeting the palliative and end of life needs of those who experience the greatest health inequalities, at a time when they need us the most.”

(L-R) Tracey Buckingham (Clinical Services Manager & CQC Registered Manager, The Sussex Beacon), Mr Chris Ward MP, Cllr Paul Davies, Mr Stephen Kinnock MP, Rachel Brett (CEO, The Sussex Beacon) and Professor Yvonne Gilleece.