This October we are marking 30 years’ of care at our Hospice’s In-Patient Unit in Howlands, Welwyn Garden City.
Although over the years the majority of our care has been carried out in patients’ homes and in our Living Well day hospice hubs, our In-Patient Unit remains the special place in which patients are admitted to get distressing symptoms under control, often to then be discharged to their home, and for others to find a safe haven at the end of their life.
HRH The Duchess of Kent opened the Unit in October 1990. She had previously opened the Day Hospice in Welwyn Garden City in June 1986 and was welcomed then by our founder Isabel Last.
The first sod at the Unit in 1989 by our then patron, singer and now gardener and DJ, Kim Wilde. We opened our doors to our community with our first patients being admitted in October 1990 just two years after launching our funding appeal.
In 2001 the Hospice was completely renovated and refurbished with extra beds added and an enlarged sitting room, dining area and family facilities. It is the layout which you will see today although we have redecorated!
Last year we cared for 208 people (with 222 admissions as people dipped in and out of our care) and this year, during the coronavirus in March we opened 6 extra beds to help take the pressure off the NHS, and cared for patients with the virus.
The In-Patient Unit is a truly special place and holds memories for many families but also staff and volunteers.
Happy Birthday IPU!
