A 15-year dream of a hospice providing in-patient care in East Kilbride will become a reality within months.
The Donna Mortimer Ballantyne Wing at Kilbryde Hospice will open its doors to its first patients in April.
A new pan-Lanarkshire model for palliative care services and specialist hospice provision was approved by North and South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) which includes 12 beds at Kilbryde.
The hospice was officially opened by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last September and currently provides out-patient and day care services.
But the latest announcement has been described as the best Christmas present anyone could have wished for by directors, fundraisers and supporters.
Kilbryde Hospice chief executive Gordon McHugh said: “This is fantastic news and we’re delighted for everyone who has supported us over the past 15 years.
“Anyone in the Lanarkshire area and beyond who has attended a fundraiser for the hospice or contributed in some way over this time can take some of the credit for this development.
“We’re also delighted that our state-of-the-art facility will support the new pan-Lanarkshire model for palliative care services in Lanarkshire by providing both specialist in-patient care as well as the day and care at home services within our communities.
“It’s always been the Kilbryde Hospice’s aim to be at the centre of our community supporting the wonderful work already happening around palliative care by the health and social ‘WeCare Partnerships’.”
Gretta McGuinness, director and widow of founder member Tony, told the East Kilbride News: “All the family couldn’t be more delighted by this news.
“This is what Tony worked so incredibly hard for.
“We thought this day would never come. It was only Tony’s sheer grit and determination which pushed us all on.
“The people of East Kilbride and beyond also took us to their hearts and the kindness shown to us by so many – individuals and organisations – has been incredible.”
Gretta added: “I am sure Tony will be up there dancing around the Christmas tree. He would be so proud of everyone involved and when we finally see our first patients come through the doors we will feel like Tony’s dream has truly been fulfilled.”
Fundraising director Christine Sherry, sister of Donna Mortimer Ballantyne, who the in-patient unit is named after, said: “This means so much to all of us and would have meant the world to Donna.
“I couldn’t believe it at first and was in tears when I found out it but I am absolutely delighted.”
Director Lady Susan Haughey CBE said: “I came on board because of Donna and this is not only a fitting tribute to her but to Tony, without whom none of this would have happened.”
Margaret Mary Cowan, clinical services manager, added: “The long-awaited news that we will finally be able to provide in-patient specialist palliative care at Kilbryde Hospice is magnificent.
“This funding will allow patients at the end of life living in South Lanarkshire to be cared for at Kilbryde Hospice if this is their choice.
“The coming months will be spent working in partnership with local stakeholders to ensure people with a life-limiting illness and their families have the correct support at the correct time.”
Director Val de Souza, from South Lanarkshire health and social care partnership, said: “This new model will complement the community supports and services which are already in place.”
