Visiting the facility in Mesa Chorio in Paphos recently, Cyprus Weekly journalists met staff, trustees and board and had a guided tour courtesy of General Manager, Mona Skordis.
“We have a team of volunteers providing nursing support, working on reception and in the cafeterias,” Skordis said. “However, we always need more and would welcome hearing from anyone who feels they can contribute to our services.”
Volunteers will work alongside ten full-time nurses who are all registered with the Nursing Association of Cyprus. A four-strong team of cleaners will maintain the facility to the highest hygiene standards.
Skordis explained that the state-of-the-art two million euro building in the Paphos village of Mesa Chorio will be operational from June and is already taking queries from prospective patients and their families for details on available services.
“The hospice will offer free palliative, respite care and support to all in need, regardless of age, nationality, religion or the nature of the illness,” Skordis said. “We are completing the final process of inspection and certification from the Cyprus government and our doors are open to provide information on receiving care here. Indeed, we have a waiting list.”
The facility comprises nine private rooms with two special rooms in a designated wing for children. ‘Unfortunately there is a need for such a service but, to date, there has been nowhere on the island which offers palliative care for children.”
Both the children’s and adults’ rooms are cheerfully and tastefully decorated, roomy and modern. There is also a small chapel for private prayer and a large café-lounge area for visitors.
Patients can be referred by a doctor or can self refer. The only criteria for eligibility to receive care is that they are suffering from a disease which can’t be cured. In addition to offering palliative care for ill people, the facility will provide respite care for ten days at a time in order to give family and carers support and a break.
“Of course, they can come and visit their loved ones when they want to,” Skordis said.
Skordis said that the projected annual running costs for Archangel Michael Hospice will be € 300,000. This figure includes salaries, medical supplies and utilities.
The hospice has made all effort where feasible to source fixtures and fittings from companies based on the island with the aim of supporting Cypriot companies in the current difficult times.
A great deal of palliative care is focused on relieving pain and supporting family and caregivers, so as such, it often goes hand in hand with respite care. Respect and dignity for the patient and family is of foremost importance with this kind of care. Bereavement programmes are also often part of the comprehensive care offered as part of palliative care.
Archangel Michael Hospice would at some time in the future very much like to consider twinning with another hospice somewhere in order to share ideas and perhaps staff training methods.
“Anybody who happens to be on holiday in Paphos and would like to visit us for a tour of the hospice is very welcome to contact me” said Mona.
Contact Mona by telephone on: 00357 99 494 140 or by email on: mona@archangel-michael-hospice.com
For general information, go to: www.archangel-michael-hospice.com
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