15 YEARS OF WORK PAYS OFF

The journey to the announcement that Kilbryde Hospice will begin in-patient care from next April has taken 15 years of hard work and dedication from all involved.

It began with the vision of the late Tony Mcguinness – and there have been a number of pivotal moments over the years...

In April 2007, NHS Lanarkshire and the Kilbryde Hospice Appeal signed an agreement to work together to provide new palliative care services. This led to the opening of the Kilbryde Hospice Red Deer drop-in centre in Westwood in July 2008.

In freezing temperatures in January 2010, a small band of supporters, including Tony and Gretta Mcguinness, gathered for a ceremony to mark the formal identification of a two-acre site at Hairmyres Hospital for Kilbryde Hospice. Its approval marked an historic first step towards creating new palliative care beds for people who are facing a life-limiting illness.

In February 2012, plans for the £3 million Kilbryde Hospice were officially unveiled in front of volunteers and businesses by hospice chairman Dennis Gallagher.

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson offered his support for the Kilbryde Hospice building development by cutting the first sod in September 2013.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon officially opened the hospice in September 2016. The state-of the -art facility offered a range of day facilities including drop-in sessions, counselling, care at home, music therapy, complimentary therapy, a befrienders service and sanctuary room.

A new panlanarkshire model for palliative care services and specialist hospice provision was approved by both the North and South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Boards (IJBS) this week with 12 beds for Kilbryde Hospice included in the plans.