LETTER: Facts over Hearsay

Dear Editor,

I recently read the letter raising concerns about the St. John Hospice, and frankly, it came across as a whole lot of noise with very little substance. It was long and emotional, yes, but lacking in credible facts or firsthand evidence.

As someone who lost a loved one five years ago and had to place them at the St. John Hospice for respite care, I can speak from direct experience. My family and I have nothing but appreciation for the compassion, dignity, and professionalism shown by both management and staff. T

hey went above and beyond to make sure my loved one was comfortable and that our family felt supported through a very difficult time. Of course, not everything will be perfect all the time, but whenever I raised a concern, the hospice staff addressed it promptly and respectfully.

Regarding the comment about masks, that policy has existed since the days of COVID, which is when my loved one was there. To use that as a criticism now feels like a reach, and to be quite honest, the entire letter reads more like a personal vendetta against someone on the hospice team or in management than a genuine concern about care standards.

It’s also worth pointing out, and this is something many people seem unaware of, that the St. John Hospice is a privately run entity, not a government institution. That fact alone should encourage a bit more humility before making broad accusations about how it operates or who is responsible for what. Some of what was written carries a tone of entitlement, as though the writer misunderstands the hospice’s ownership and governance.

If anyone has an issue, they should bring it directly to the management instead of making sweeping public statements based on hearsay or limited experience. The St. John Hospice remains one of the few places on this island offering quality, compassionate end-of-life care. Rather than trying to tear it down, we should be supporting and strengthening it.

Sincerely,
With a little more perspective than outrage.