State-of-the-art facility opens

Churchfayre

An East Kilbride hospice has officially opened an inpatient unit after years of tireless fundraising by supporters.

While day facilities have been up and running since Kilbryde Hospice opened its doors in the grounds of University Hospital Hairmyres in 2015, now 12 specialist inpatient beds will be available in the Donna Mortimer Ballantyne Wing for those who require specialist palliative care support.

The beds are part of a Lanarkshire model for palliative care services and specialist hospice provision which sees 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.

This service will be in addition to beds at St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdire, North Lanarkshire and Strathcarron Hospice in Denny, Stirlingshire which have been commissioned by the South Lanarkshire health and social care partnership for the benefit of Lanarkshire residents.

Kilbryde Hospice chief executive Gordon McHugh said: “We’re delighted that our state-of-the-art facility will support an equitable Lanarkshire model for palliative care services by providing specialist inpatient care.

“These 12 beds will complement the day and care at home services within our communities – which we have been providing for some time.”

The beds at Kilbryde Hospice will be for the benefit of those who require specialist palliative care support within the East Kilbride, Cambuslang, Rutherglen and Hamilton areas.

This means residents in Cambuslang and Rutherglen will have access to this type of service within Lanarkshire for the first time.

The Lanarkshire model is the culmination of a wider palliative care strategy consultation.

Marianne Hayward from the South Lanarkshire health and social care partnership said: “The model will complement the community supports and services which are already in place and which continue to be developed within Lanarkshire to provide integrated care in support of patients in locality settings.”

The specialist inpatient beds within Kilbryde Hospice are being introduced in a phased way with all 12 set to be in place by next month. St Columba Lutheran Church want to‘raise the roof’at a fundraising fayre this weekend.

The Westwood Hill church is in need of a cash boost after replacing the roof.

And local folk are being encouraged to dig deep at a table top sale this Saturday from 11am to 1pm.

There will also be cake and candy as well as tea and coffee.

Table rental is £5 and donations are welcome at the door.