By Bejay Browne.
The Friend’s hospice in Paphos is edging closer to re-opening.
Representatives of the facility recently met a prominent Cypriot architect with the aim of converting a nine bedroom private house into a base for the hospice, which closed its doors to the public in July.
Prior to its closure, the hospice was located at a dedicated wing St George’s Polyclinic, but was given formal notice to vacate the building as it is was needed for future operational purposes,
A local Paphos family stepped in and offered a large, private house to the hospice, on condition that it would be used as a hospice facility, president of the friends hospice foundation, Chris Jones, told the Paphos Post.
The hospice is pursuing all of the necessary licenses for the change of use, and the municipalities of Paphos, Tala and Peyia have also pledged their support, said Jones.
“We are meeting with a well known architect, Yiannis Koutsolambros, and we are so grateful as he is doing all of this pro bono. We will discuss what changes need to be made, such as doors made wider, in order to meet the requirements needed to be granted a license from the ministry of health,” Jones said.
It is also hoped that as the project moves forwards, local craftsmen will volunteer to undertake any work necessary, he added.
The changes to the house are anticipated to get underway in January and the hospice is aiming to have enough funds to cover any costs incurred. They are appealing to the public to support their five charity shops and a number of fund raising events planned for the coming months.
“We don’t want to have to start a fundraiser once permission is given as this could take at least a year to raise enough, so we are trying to accumulate enough funds ahead of time in order that everything can go smoothly and with enough money to pay for the costs,” Jones said.
The Friends’ Hospice’s five charity shops are found in Chlorakas, Kato Paphos, Geroskipou, Polis and Pissouri. They have re-opened after an enforced shutdown due to the Covid 19 regulations, he said.
“These provide fifty per cent of the hospice’s income, the balance comes from events and event sponsors, as well as donations. The re-opening of the shops means the charity’s balance is now in the black,” he noted.
Ahead of the notice to quit the Saint George Polyclinic , the hospice was exploring the possibility of an amalgamation with the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society with a view to offering palliative care under Gesy.
This would be as a satellite of the Arodaphnousa Palliative Care Centre in Nicosia, (which CAC manages), noted Jones, adding that the German Oncology Centre in Limassol also invited the friends’ hospice to cooperate.
“One of the reasons for being approached by others in the medical field is our strict adherence to the core principles of hospice care and to obeying Cyprus law,” said Jones.
In addition to the prospect of a new facility, the hospice is also considering the possibility of establishing a day centre for patients in Peyia, supported by Peyia municipality.
Jones said that much of the drive and enthusiasm comes from the clinical director, Dr Aristos Georghiou, who has been in talks regarding the hospice with Paphos municipality and the mayor, Phedonas Phedonos. Dr Sylvia Lazaridou, has also joined the team as a volunteer medical director, he said.
The function of the hospice is symptom control, respite care and terminal care, and although the majority of patients have cancer, the facility also offers care to patients suffering from neurological problems or end-stage cardiac and pulmonary illnesses.
Some seventy per cent of patients return home after treatment, Jones pointed out.
Since it opened in 2006, the Friend’s hospice has cared for more than 2,000 people. Ahead of it’s closure, the multilingual staff included: ten staff nurses, two doctors, three nursing volunteers, two staff carers, a music therapist and a part-time physiotherapist. There was also psychological support for staff, patients and family members.
“We can’t take anything for granted but hope to overcome the first hurdle of obtaining a licence for the nine bed house as soon as we can,” Jones said.
