The Friends’ Hospice Foundation has been given official Ministry of Health approval for its new home. All necessary renovation work on Waugh House in Tala can now go ahead to enable the Hospice to resume its palliative care for the region.
Its special wing in a Paphos polyclinic had to be vacated two years ago when that clinic required the space. But a local family has generously donated a nine-bedroom house and its grounds in Tala for as long as The Friends’ Hospice provides palliative care for those with life-limiting illnesses in Paphos and Peyia and the surrounding districts.
After months of detailed discussions, the Ministry in Nicosia has now given its official approval for the Hospice to carry out the alterations from residence to hospice. The go-ahead comes with a proviso that three minor changes be made to the original plans and these have been readily agreed by the Foundation.
In the meantime, some work on the premises has begun. Health and Safety requirements demand that the existing kitchen must be furnished with stainless steel, so removal of the old storage units has started to prepare for the new installations with additional tiling. Such changes to the nine-bed Waugh House in Tala were not affected by the tweaks that the Ministry required for the final go-ahead for the project.
Work will begin soon to provide a new irrigation system to ensure the trees and plants survive the coming summer. This will be in tandem with clearance of an area to make way for the entry and exit of ambulances.
Chris Jones, President of The Friends’ Hospice Foundation, says: “The Ministry of Health has been very supportive of our proposals and has been helpful throughout this planning process. Its final approval means we can now go ahead with the major work to convert Waugh House to our needs.”
The charity expects the annual running costs of the new Tala home to range between €250.000 and €300,000 a year. It relies on donations and the income from its five charity shops to provide this funding. All care is given completely free of charge to people of all nationalities in the region. Since it began its charitable work in 2006, the Hospice has provided treatment and comfort to two thousand patients.
“There is terrific goodwill in the region for the Hospice. We’ve had great support from craftsmen all over the area to help renovate the house and grounds,” says Alison Patriarca, Honorary Treasurer. “I feel very privileged to be part of this new chapter.”
