28th May 2008

DOORS OPEN AT
HOSPICE DAY CENTRE

At long last, after years of campaigning and fundraising, the Kilbryde Hospice is finally up and running.

In partnership with NHS Lanarkshire, the Hospice Appeal Fund has opened a day care centre in Westwood's Red Deer Centre.

Appeal chairman and founder member, Tony McGuinness, said, "The opening of the day care centre was the forerunner to a full-blown in-patient hospice to serve the people of South Lanarkshire." He is confident that work on a purpose-built hospice in the grounds of Hairmyres Hospital will begin next year.

Tony added, "It has been a long time coming - too long - but at long last the people of East Kilbride and the rest of South Lanarkshire have something to show for their years of hard campaigning and fundraising.

"It is the first step towards the provision of an in-patient facility. And I am sure everyone will welcome this milestone on the road and will keep the cash coming in."

Craig Cunningham, NHS lanarkshire's general manager for the Community Health Partnership in South Lanarkshire, said he was delighted they had got the new service off the ground because there was a real need for just a service in the area. He added the Red Deer Centre had been completely refurbished in preparation for the hospice and other health services.

The hospice has its own suite of rooms and staff which includes specialist nurse Joanna Dunlop and the services of a palliative care consultant and complementary therapist. The cost of running the day care centre and paying staff is being shared by the Hospice Appeal and NHS Lanarkshire with each paying £50,000 in the first year, £100,000 the year afterwards and £150,000 the year after that.

Craig confirmed eventually the hospice day care centre will be transferred to a new purpose-built building in the grounds of Hairmyres Hospital.

Volunteer, Nancy Boyd, Nurse Specialist, Jo Dunlop,
Chairman, Tony McGuinness and Hospice Fundraiser, Lynn Stewart..
Image courtesy of East Kilbride News

JUST days after the Kilbryde Hospice in conjunction with NHS Lanarkshire opened a new day care service patients are already benefiting.

And this development is something Jo Dunlop, the new specialist nurse in charge of the service, and her band of willing volunteers are very proud of and something both the hospice and health board are working to progress.

Leaflets have already been sent out to local doctors’ practices urging them to refer cancer and other patients they feel might benefit from help in the symptom control clinic, complementary therapy room or from an appointment with the palliative care consultant.

Even if they just need advice on benefits available, financial advice or help to surf the internet for information about symptoms or treatment or simply a friendly face to talk to over a cup of coffee or tea, they are welcome to go along.

Jo, who trained originally at Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow, worked in Australia and for the last few years was with the Macmillan Nurses, has been very closely involved in designing and laying out the new day care centre. She is still in the process of interviewing staff to join her team but expects them all to be in place within the next week or two. Said Jo: “The emphasis here will be on providing a day care service that is useful, warm and welcoming."

"We have already contacted doctors’ surgeries, colleagues in hospitals and district nurses to tell them we are here but patients and their relatives are welcome to make an appointment by telephoning 01355 593484 to see one of our nurse specialists, the palliative care consultant or complementary therapist or to drop in and use our services as and when they wish. Currently the centre is open from 9am till 5pm, Monday to Friday but this may be extended in the future when as and when demand for our services grow."

The day care centre will be officially opened on Wednesday, 23 July 2008.

The hospice appeal fund committee has invited top local businessman Jim McColl, chairman and chief executive of East Kilbride-based Clyde Blowers and the hospice’s biggest single benefactor, to perform the opening ceremony.