Hospice to set up unit in South Lanarkshire

Families seeking palliative and end-of-life care for loved ones will soon have access to a specialist unit in South Lanarkshire.

The Kilbryde Hospice will be built on the grounds of the University Hospital Hairmyres in East Kilbride.

This development coincides with a plan by the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice to relocate its hospice in-patient unit to Bellahouston Park.

The new pan-Lanarkshire model for palliative care services and specialist hospice provision was agreed by both the North and South Lanarkshire health and social care partnerships (HSCP).

Val de Souza, director at the South Lanarkshire HSCP, said:“The new model will see community nursing and home care staff – supported by respective specialist clinical staff – working in an integrated 24/7 way to provide palliative and end-of-life care and support to people in their own homes or in a homely setting.

“The new model reflects the preferences of people and also continues to recognise the importance of hospice provision and the services they provide that will support Lanarkshire residents.

“This includes beds in the new purpose-built Kilbryde Hospice, which the residents of Rutherglen and Cambuslang will be able to access.”

As part of the transition process, access to the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice will remain until October 1. South Lanarkshire HSCP have also confirmed they will be fully engaging with all relevant groups to inform them of the new Lanarkshire model.

James Kelly MSP said the moves were a significant change for people who deserve a“really high standard of care”.

He added:“The main concern has to be about the level of consultation, given the number of people affected by this. This news is the first thing a lot of people have heard about the move and there are a range of organisations, as well as those who use the current Prince and Princess of Wales centre, who deserve to have their opinions heard.”