Paphos Municipality has approved the change of use of a private house to help The Friends’ Hospice to resume its palliative care work and approval is now being sought from the Ministry of Health in Nicosia. The ministry has already renewed its annual grant to the charitable foundation.
A local family has generously donated the nine-bedroom property in Tala to the charity to allow a planning application to be put before the Ministry. When approved, the facility will initially operate with six bedrooms, with the option of an additional room if required.
The hospice had to close last year because its dedicated wing in St George’s Polyclinic was needed for the clinic’s own uses. However, the predicament was overcome when a couple presented the large house in Tala as alternative accommodation. Situated in a quiet cul-de-sac, the spacious property will also allow family members to stay during a patient’s stay.
To make the building fit-for-purpose, a lift will be installed and various other alterations undertaken. However, a local architect has drawn up plans free of charge and local firms are offering materials and workmanship at generous rates to help the transformation.
Talks are also continuing with the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society to complete a future alliance with the hospice.
Since 2006, when it began its work in the Paphos region, The Friends’ Hospice has given palliative care and other treatments to more than 2,000 people with life-limiting illnesses, free of charge and regardless of nationality.
It costs more than €250,000 a year to run the hospice and this is met through donations and by sales in its four charity shops.
Chris Jones, President of The Friends’ Hospice Foundation, says: “The past fifteen months have been tough but the work of our shops volunteers and supporters in the general public gives us the drive and encouragement to continue.”
The Foundation is comprised of four trustees and these are supported by three executive committee members, Dr Adamos Adamou MP, Dr Aristos Georghiou (Clinical Director), and Dr Sylvia Lazaridou (Honorary Medical Director).
