Greenwich and Bexley Cottage Hospice is used by thousands of people. Reporter SAMANTHA PAYNE speaks to joint chief executive Jim Bennett about how it meets the needs of patients.

TWELVE years after the hospice opened it still plays an important part in the community.

According to last year's figures, the hospice had more than 3,000 people attending its day care service and 1,500 clinic appointments using its outpatient services.

The hospice also had 417 in-patients and provided 7,000 hours of counselling.

Mr Bennett says this is proof the hospice, which cares for people with life-threatening diseases, is fulfilling a need within the community.

The chief executive has been with the hospice since 1993, when he joined as a community fundraiser before the building was completed.

He said: "I was around when the building was just a shell and I am proud to have seen it grow into a fantastic hospice.

"It is a passion close to my heart. It is really a privilege to care for other people."

The facility's co-founders, Pat Jeavons and Don Sturrock, campaigned since the 1980s for a hospice for the people of Greenwich and Bexley.

They were both cancer patients who saw the need for a hospice for the two boroughs.

After a lot of research, backed up by a petition signed by 200,000 people and many GPs, their appeal for a hospice was launched.

It was in February 1994 their dream finally became a reality when the hospice opened.

Mr Bennett said: "I did know them in the early days and they were an inspiration for me.

"Their ethos still remains, to look out for other people and provide a service the community needs. It's important to listen to what people want."

Pat Jeavons died at the hospice in June 1997 and Don Sturrock died there in August 2002 after a 20-year battle with cancer.

The facility receives £1m each year from the Greenwich and Bexley primary care trusts.

The remaining £1.9m comes from the community through fundraising events such as sponsored events, folk nights, head shaves and people running in the London Marathon.

The hospice also generates income from the 12 shops it has in the two boroughs.

When asked whether he finds it a problem to constantly come up with ideas to raise money for the hospice, Mr Bennett said: "It's always a challenge.

"Over the past 12 years the aspirations of the community have changed.

"Techniques of giving money have also changed so it is important how we encourage these people to support us.

"But we are fortunate. There is always someone who knows somebody else who has had a connection with us.

"We are very grateful for all the support we get."

Mr Bennett is asking anyone who is running in this year's London Marathon and has not yet chosen a charity to consider the hospice.

He said: "I ran it in 1998 and I wouldn't have done it for anybody else. It was a great achievement."

When asked about plans for the future, he said: "It's important we develop the service at a realistic pace, always reassessing how we can best meet the needs of the community and to keep the atmosphere we have here."

Anyone interested in supporting the work of the hospice should call 020 8312 2244.

SOME OF THE SERVICES ON OFFER

  • Referrals to services day hospice, outpatient, community and in-patient care.
  • Complementary Therapy includes aromatherapy, massage, and reflexology.
  • Breathlessness clinic helps people experiencing breathlessness to be more in control of their breathing.
  • Shornells Day Centre provides care for people affected by a life-limiting illness and their families.
  • Lymphoedema service gives advice to patients and their families who have developed or who are at risk of developing lymphoedema.
  • Support services such as Cakewalk cafe, held on the first and third Friday of every month between 10am and 3pm in Shornells to help people with life-threatening illnesses and their carers.