Royal visit to Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice during Hospice Care Week

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester visited Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice this week where she met patients, and long-serving staff and volunteers at the Abbey Wood based hospice.

The visit, which took place on Monday 10 October, coincided with the start of Hospice Care week, an annual celebration to raise awareness of the important role of hospice care nationwide.

Her Royal Highness took the opportunity to thank staff for their commitment to the hospice, speaking to some of the specialist doctors, nurses, healthcare workers and rehabilitation staff who provide expert, around the clock care to 3,000 patients every year. The Duchess also spoke to patients on the inpatient ward and their families and heard their stories about the care and support they have received from the hospice team.

A moment of remembrance

There was a moment of remembrance during the visit when The Duchess of Gloucester planted a tree in the hospice’s grounds in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth as part of The Queen’s Canopy Project, which aims to improve our shared environment by planting trees across the globe.

Hospice Chief Executive, Kate Heaps, said: “We were incredibly honoured to be visited by HRH The Duchess of Gloucester today. It made us all feel so proud that The Duchess recognised the huge difference our amazing team make to the people of Royal Greenwich and Bexley at an incredibly difficult time in their lives.” She added,

“The planting of a tree in our beautiful gardens as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy project added an extra special element to an already wonderful occasion.”

You can find out more about the hospice and its work at http://communityhospice.org.uk

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About Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice:

• Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice is a local charity dedicated to providing free, high-quality palliative care and support to local people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, their families and professional carers.
• They are a leading provider of specialist palliative care, support and education in the two boroughs and have been rooted in the community for over 25 years.
• Patients can access services through the Hospice at Home service, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Woolwich), the 13-bed inpatient unit in Abbey Wood, and in community care homes.
• Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice supports patient wellbeing and provides physical, emotional, social, spiritual and psychological care and guidance to support individuals to be prepared, without fear or anxiety and to live independently for as long as possible. Care extends to the loved ones and carers of the patient.
• The Hospice relies on retail sales, fundraising and donations to deliver its vital work in the community and to lead the way in clinical practice and so continues to drive forward the development of positive partnerships with a wide range of supporters within the community.
• The Hospice aims to raise £5 million every year and run fundraising events throughout the year.
• Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice has 16 retail stores across the two boroughs.