The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice is, this week, launching its Vital Care Appeal as it faces its biggest challenge yet.
In Glasgow, demand for specialist hospice services is growing. Patients have more complex needs, and many are younger and have young children at home. At the same time, costs for staffing, utilities and food have risen sharply. With local government funding just 30 per cent of running the hospice, the remaining 70 per cent comes from fundraising and donations.
This year, Glasgow’s Hospice is predicting a £755,000 shortfall in funding. While not at crisis point yet, the hospice is appealing to its local community to consider donating to its Vital Care Appeal to protect the future of hospice care in Glasgow.
Rhona Baillie OBE, Chief Executive of The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, said: “We provide free specialist palliative and end-of-life care to 1,200 new patients and their families each year, both at the hospice at Bellahouston Park and in patients’ own homes.
“We’re doing everything we can to keep our costs to a minimum. We run our services efficiently, we’re innovating with our fundraising, and we make every pound count. But despite our efforts, a significant funding gap remains. We’re not in crisis yet, but we need to act and that’s why we are turning to our friends in the community for help.”
Kirsty Dolan is 22-years-old and completed her degree in Adult Nursing at the end of 2024. When Kirsty’s beloved dad, Robert died in the hospice in 2021 Kirsty found herself struggling.
Robert was first diagnosed with Parkinson's when he was only 48. Following the diagnosis, Kirsty, who was only about 10 at the time, along with her mum and older sister, became carers for him.
As his condition deteriorated over the next 10 years, he was in and out of hospital, and the family dedicated more of their time to providing care at home.
Then COVID hit, and they found themselves providing 24-hour care for Robert, isolated from the outside world. Kirsty split her time between caring and studying.
“COVID was such a strange time,” says Kirsty. “Obviously we weren’t allowed outside, but I have a memory of it being such a nice day and deciding to take my dad a walk. We got his wheelchair out and just enjoyed being outside.
“His condition got worse and then in 2021, he ended up coming to the hospice for inpatient care. He had developed supranuclear palsy and needed specialist care. He was in the IPU for about a week where he just received the very best care you could imagine. We got to spend as much time with him as we could, and we even got to bring our dogs in for a visit.
“We spent quality time with Dad, listening to his favourite music and had the peace to enjoy our time together. When he was nearing the end of his life, we all stayed over at the hospice in the family rooms so we could be close. And then after he died, we got to spend a few hours with him, again listening to his favourite music. We had as much time as we needed to say goodbye.”
In the year after Robert’s death, Kirsty found herself struggling. She’d heard about the Family Support Service at the hospice and decided to email and ask for some help.
Kirsty adds: “I was really struggling; I knew something wasn’t right with me, but I just didn’t know how to help myself. I was at breaking point and had gone to the doctors who offered me medication, but I didn’t want to take it. That wasn’t the help I needed. So, I emailed the hospice and the Family Support Service got in touch – and I have to say, it changed my life.
“I was worried about coming back to the hospice because of the memories it might have held, but I got over that.
“The support wasn’t counselling as such. The team worked with me over a period of time and just helped me see things differently. I think I hadn’t faced up to my dad dying, and then with all the other pressures – university and friendships, they helped me make sense of everything. It really was a lifeline, and I needed that support so much.
“The support I got helped me feel stronger and make sense of everything. I just don’t think I would have got here without the hospice.”
Will you give today to help protect vital hospice care? For more information on the Vital Care Appeal visit ppwh.org.uk/vital-care-appeal or call 0141 726 2660 Monday to Friday 9am-5pm
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