|
A Brief History |
1983
The idea for a Hospice to service a quarter of a million people was first mooted in 1983 by Mr Harold Hassall, now an honorary Vice President and formerly a Consultant Surgeon at Leighton Hospital, Crewe. He and Mr Jim Littlemore, a retired teacher from Middlewich, arranged public meetings throughout the catchment area and created enough support to form a public appeal.
1984
In 1984 a company was formed, limited by guarantee with no share capital and given charitable status.
1987
In 1987, despite a lack of funding from official sources, the appeal had generated enough money to buy Grosvenor House, a large detached property set in 1.5 acres of land in Queensway, Winsford.
1988
The Hospice admitted its first day-patients in March 1988 and was officially opened on May 18th by their Royal Highnesses, The Prince and Princess of Wales.
1990
The continued generosity of the people of South and Central Cheshire enabled the Governing Council to open the first extension in November 1990, when a ten-bed unit was completed providing facilities for In-Patients. This unit comprised two four-bed and two single-bed wards, ancillary bath and toilet facilities, a treatment room, Chapel, laundry, kitchen and dayroom which doubles as a dining room and lounge.
1992
In March 1992 we introduced physiotherapy therapies to benefit our In care, Day Care and Home visits
1992
In November 1992 a further extension was opened, providing increased day-care facilities in a multifunction area which can be divided to provide a lecture room. The volunteer and part-time administrative staff, previously housed in a portacabin, now have accommodation on the first floor of this new extension.
The Hospice is now licensed to provide care for ten day patients and ten resident patients, creating an ambience guaranteed to provide the necessary support and security for over two hundred patients and their loved ones each year.
The Health Authority provides additional financial support to the quarter of a million pounds received from voluntary contributions each year, required to maintain the service.
1996
In May, an extension to Grosvenor House provided two further single-bedded rooms, medical director's office, relatives' room and additional bathroom with the latest aided facilities, enabling more flexibility of care. The foundation stone of this building was laid by HRH The Duchess of Kent on June 6th, 1995.
1998
Day Patient Hospice increased from 10 patients to 15 patients a day.
Cheshire Hospices Education Ltd (CHE), a joint venture with two other hospices, starts. Provides palliative care training and education for all nursing and medical professionals working in the acute sector, the community, hospices and nursing homes.
1999
Reception area to Day Care and In-care enhanced. Consulting room added for Dr Smith.
April - Appointment of our first chaplain, Rev Robert Bates, Methodist Minister, St Andrew's Church, Winsford.
2000
Introduction of Complementary Therapies Clinic one day a week for Day Care patients.
2002
Complementary Therapies facilities extended to include Day Care patients on a daily basis.
Introduction of a Lymphoedema Clinic within the hospice 2 days a week. Offers specialist care to patients with lymphoedema.
2004
Additional Complementary Therapy day. We now have a full Complementary Therapy clinic for 2 days a week.
Hypno/Chemo programme developed and implemented. Offers patients ways of dealing with problems arising from chemotherapy. This was incorporated into Complementary Therapy days.
2005
February - East Wing Extension opened by Rosie Spiegelberg. This included extensions to Day Care, CHE, Catering and Administration.
2006
Additional staff were added to the Social Work, Counselling and Day Care teams.
An additional Complementary Therapy Clinic session was added, bringing the total to three per week. |
|
