AFTER seeing how other countries cared for people with terminal illnesses, it was the dream of GP Dr Anne Gilmore to build a modern hospice in Glasgow.
The result was the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, which celebrates its 40thanniversary this year. Now, staff are calling for people to share their memories of the place for a new publication to mark the milestone.
Rhona Baillie, chief executive, said: “For 40 years, staff and volunteers have been dedicated to providing the best possible end of life care to people with life-limiting and terminal illnesses and their families. We are proud to provide this vital service with care and compassion for all.
“We could not offer our services, however, without the unwavering and supremely generous support from the people of Glasgow and further afield. We believe we have the best supporters in the world. They help us raise the £3million each year needed to keep our doors open.
“We are asking people to get in touch with us with their memories or photos of the hospice. We know that our staff and volunteers have touched the lives of so many people that we want to bring these together to compile a commemorative publication.”
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People are being asked to send their memories into info@ppwh.org.uk or hand them into the hospice at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow.
Anne Gilmore, who studied at Glasgow University and pursued a career in geriatrics, went on to become a consultant to the World Health Organisation, president of the British Society of Gerontology and president of the British Society of Thanatology.
Talking to the Evening Times in 1987, she said: “The aim at all times is to enhance the quality of life. The building itself is part of the therapy. We wanted to ... create a friendly informal environment where people could feel relaxed and comfortable in order to promote a certain ambience and joy.”
In 1980, a neighbour, after hearing Dr Gilmore’s thoughts on terminal care, suggested that she talk to his colleagues at Black and White Whisky. The women there were so impressed they gave a sum of £4000 they had raised for charity to her.
A trust was set up and fundraising began in earnest – Billy Connolly even got involved in a charity cycle in 1982, riding from Glasgow to London to raise cash.
Billy was not the only celebrity supporter – over the years, a whole host of stars have backed the PPWH, from actor Stanley Baxter and presenter Carol Smillie to comedians Karen Dunbar and Des Clarke.
The hospice moved in to Carlton Place on the banks of the Clyde, and in 1985, its first service - a 24-hour helpline staffed by volunteers for patients, families and healthcare professionals - was launched. Within a year, it was handling 100 calls a week.
In 1986, the hospice opened its day centre and three years later, it created an eight-bedded, inpatient ward offering pain management and symptom control in addition to end-of-life-care.
The hospice was named in honour of Prince Charles and Princess Diana as a wedding gift from the then Lord Provost of Glasgow, Michael Kelly.
On a visit in 1990, the Royal couple met patients and staff, and were given a tour of the building by Dr Gilmore and her husband Stan.
Dr Gilmore, who was crowned Glasgow Times Scotswoman of the Year in 1992, died in 1998, but in an interview with the Glasgow Times many years later, Stan recalled how proud she was to welcome Charles and Diana to the hospice.
“It was a lovely moment for Anne, who had worked so hard in the early days to get a hospice for Glasgow,” he said. “Both Royals spent time with the patients and the staff – but everyone wanted to see Diana.”
A major capital appeal, backed by Glasgow Times readers, raised £21m for a new hospice in Bellahouston Park. The state of the art facility opened in 2018, with 16 ensuite inpatient bedrooms and a range of other facilities including an art room, complementary therapy rooms and a public café.
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