Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
A privileged peek at hospice’s new refurb
Recently, I was privileged to have a preview of the refurbished St Andrew’s Hospice.
Before the tour, there was a presentation of the history of the hospice, which began as Assumption House in 1957 and was a home for the elderly and sick.
It then moved to its current location in Henderson Street in 1986 and became the facility we know today.
Following an expansion in 2006, the hospice needed to be reconfigured and refurbished to make it fit for the future.
After 14 months of refurbishment works, the hospice now has 21 single rooms and three multioccupancy rooms.
Each room has patio doors which open wide enough to allow beds to be wheeled out into the hospice grounds.
This means that, in fine weather, patients can enjoy the enclosed courtyard planted with colourful shrubs and flowers.
Every patient’s room has a small fridge to cool drinks and where food, prepared by relatives, can be kept fresh.
The beds have an integrated hoist and infra-red sensors to detect movement and prevent falls.
In other words, the new design has been meticulously thought out to cover the needs of the patients.
There is an assisted spa bathroom, complete with hydrotherapy bath and sound system.
Marjorie Daly, along with friends and family Wendy Clark, Anne Craig, Evelyn Bailey and Mima Baird, have raised in excess of £15,000 in memory of Marjorie’s daughter to ensure that patients can bathe, relax and enjoy the peace and tranquillity this room provides.
The Daly family and friends achieved this over a period of two-and-a-half years by selling books and badges, holding a fashion show and having a regular stall at Monklands Hospital selling hand-knitted baby wear donated by the local community.
In fact, the funding has been raised by relatives and families and as a result of the overwhelming support of the public.
This, teamed with the extraordinary efforts of the hospice’s Capital Appeal team, means that a staggering £5.75 million of the £9 million target has already been raised.
However, whilst the new facility is ready for occupation, the th h hospice i still till needs d to raise a further £3.25 million.
This is in addition to the £88,000 that is required each week to keep the hospice running.
Whilst the debate about the right to die continues, it’s important to remember that without the hospice movement, research into fatal illnesses and diseases would be adversely affected.
So, I hope as many people as possible will feel able to support the Capital Appeal team to raise the remaining funds, by helping in any way they can.
Possible ways include holding a Homecoming campaign fundraiser, such as an afternoon tea or coffee morning, by taking part in the Kiltwalk on April 29, or by simply texting ROOM18 £5 to 70070 to donate £5 to the appeal.
More fundraising information is available at www.st-andrews-hospice.com
All donations are gratefully received and have the potential to make a huge difference to the patients, who will be bowled over when they move back into this amazing new facility today.
I hope as many people as possible will feel able to support the Capital Appeal team to raise the remaining funds