First Minister opens new area Hospice
The Kilbryde Hospice was officially opened by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Friday.
The opening ceremony took place in the presence of the widow of its founder member Tony McGuinness, Hospice Director Gretta McGuinness, as well as hospice staff, patients and carers.
The multi-million pound state-of the-art hospice in the grounds of Hairmyres Hospital currently offers a range day facilities including drop-in sessions, counselling, care at home, music therapy, complimentary therapy, 01355 229771 a befrienders service and sanctuary room and will soon provide 12 beds for specialist ‘end of life’ care.
Before formally opening the hospice, the First Minister was invited by Lady Susan Haughey CBE and hospice Chairman Dennis Gallagher, to have a tour and find out more detailed information about the services provided.
Lynsay Bain, Day Services Manager, gave the First Minister an overview of services which are already being provided on a daily basis to patients and carers including a Care at Home service.
Margaret Mary Cowan, Head of Integration and Clinical Services, highlighted the many areas of work that are planned in future within the Donna Mortimer Ballantyne inpatient unit.
Gordon McHugh, the Kilbryde Hospice Chief Executive, said: “We were honoured to welcome the First Minister to celebrate the official opening of the hospice.
“It brought everyone together, dignitaries, visitors, volunteers and staff. We have come a long way since October 2001, especially in the last three years, building this wonderful building along with Eddie Kerr our Architect and Alastair Wylie of CCG, who made a substantial financial contribution to allow the hospice to come in on target.
“Our patient numbers have gone up every week and it was fantastic to see patients, carers and service users get the opportunity to speak about their journeys with the First Minister, whom I cannot thank enough for listening to all of them.”
Mr McHugh added: “The First Minister’s visit also helps us build awareness of the essential support and services we provide to patients every day who are living with a life-limiting illness.”
One of the service users the First Minister spoke to was Brian McBride from St Leonards.
He said: “The First Minister was very interested to hear all out stories and how the hospice had helped and supported us.
“I was diagnosed with cancer of the kidney and although I have finished my treatment the hospice is still a big part of my life – I still use its day facilities and it has been invaluable to me.”
Jean Robertson, from Calderwood, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s said the hospice not only provided supports but is a way of meeting people and sharing experiences.
“I don’t know what I would have done without the hospice, as well as being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I had personal issues to deal with,” she said.
“I have met so many people and made so many friends through coming here.”
She added: “It was really lovely to be able to chat to the First Minister and for her to take time to listen to our experiences.
“This facility is so important for the community of East Kilbride.”