Queenscourt Hospice founder Dr Karen Groves MBE has revealed how the agonising deaths in hospital of a 34-year-old woman and a 14-year-old girl drove her and her sister, Sarah, to bring much-needed hospice care to Southport.
Dr Groves spoke passionately about her life’s work as the headline speaker at the International Women’s Day event organised by Queenscourt Hospice at The Grand in Southport on Friday (6th March 2026).
She made her speech as Queenscourt celebrates 35 years since it was officially opened by Princess Diana.
The charity has supported tens of thousands of families across West Lancashire, Southport and Formby since the hospice doors opened in 1991.
It’s astonishing now to think that it didn’t exist before then.
Queenscourt Hospice needs £7 million a year to provide its vital services for families; 80% of that is raised through fundraising and the generosity of local people and local businesses.
Dr Karen Groves MBE said:
“When I was training, no-one had heard of palliative care. It didn’t exist.
“Until 1997, it wasn’t a medical specialty. There was nothing.
“There were some people doing palliative care, in places like St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney, and St Christopher’s Hospice in Sydenham, but it hadn’t gained momentum.
“I came to work in Southport hospitals as my first job. And I’ve never gone away. I’ve loved it. I loved every minute of it.
“But in that first job, which was a surgical job, I looked after two young people – one young woman, of 34, and one young girl of 14.
“Both of them died incredibly painful and difficult deaths.
“And I was told by my superiors that there was nothing I could do and to just go and get on with my other jobs.
“I didn’t really believe them – but I didn’t know any different.
“I rotated around several jobs, as you do as a young doctor, and I started a job in geriatrics, which would now be called elderly medicine, at The Prom Hospital, right on the front, looking over the sea.
“I had a ward sister who was a bit fierce to put it mildly but on her ward there were lots of people who died. They didn’t seem to be in pain. They weren’t uncomfortable.
“They all seemed to be enjoying their lunch. They enjoyed being with their families.
“She taught me how to prescribe; how to relieve pain; how to talk to families; how to approach people who were nearing the end of their life.
“I knew that she had something that I had not learned.
“So I made it my business to find out. I went to St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney, and St Christopher’s Hospice in Sydenham, with my sister, Sarah, who was an ITU nurse at the time.
“The two of us went and investigated.
“We made an appointment to go and see Sister Cicely Saunders, the founder of the hospice movement – with the naivety of youth. You just think you can make an appointment.
“So we did and we asked her ‘how do we build a hospice’? Because we think that’s what we need.
“And she was incredibly encouraging. Very helpful. We came back, fired up.
“It wasn’t an easy journey, and I’m not going to go into the difficulties, and it wasn’t easy for two young women who knew what we needed and had to fight against some… how shall I put it…? other opinions shall I say!
“I suspect if we had known what it would take, we might never have started.
“But there were lots of really good, and kind, altruistic people who helped to make Queenscourt what it is and helped to get it off the ground.
“This local area and its community no longer knows what it is like to be without integrated palliative care and hospice services, I am pleased to say.
“I would hate, really hate, for people to have to experience that again.
“It is really important that we are there for those who need this particular type of care, whether it is in the hospice, or in hospitals, or in care homes, or in their own homes, or anywhere else. That is where most people want to live all of their lives.
“We also need to educate all those who care for them. And it doesn’t matter who it is, what their profession is, what their job is. Everybody needs to understand.
“I have been so lucky in my career. I have had a job that I really loved and I thrived in. And that has given me satisfaction and also a huge challenge right the way through.
“But I have had the support and the collegiality of great people of all professions, and disciplines.
“I have worked with and in many great teams, and teamwork is crucial. There is never an individual who does any of this.
“Most of all, I have been in a role where I could make a difference, especially where it mattered.
“Telling me that I can’t do something is tantamount to making me find a way just to do that.
“The consultant who told me that there was nothing that could be done to ease the pain of those women lit a fire in my belly.
“The senior nurse who was overheard to say that the ‘Mickey Mouse organisation that was Queenscourt would come to nothing’ fanned the flames.
“So Queenscourt matters enormously to this community. To all the people living in it.
“Most people will know someone who has received care from Queenscourt. And we have no idea who we know who will receive care from Queenscourt.
“We couldn’t do any of it without the volunteer support that we get. Because nobody could afford what it really costs.”
International Women’s Day had a theme of Give To Gain this year as Queenscourt supporters enjoyed a fantastic day of fundraising at The Grand on Lord Street in Southport.
It was made possible through sponsorship from FPC, Churcher Estates and HFA Bridging & Commercial and supported by Stand Up For Southport.
FPC Managing Partner Moira O’Shaughnessy, Merseyside Women Of The Year Awards Founder Ellie Kerr and Queenscourt Hospice Fundraising Manager Liz Hartley spoke passionately about the need to support and champion women and about the immense work done by Queenscourt.
The day was hosted by John Coates, with a panel discussion including Dr Karen Groves, EFT Group Director Jordan Duggan and Stand Up For Southport Founder Andrew Brown, about the many amazing female role models we have in our community and how they are leading the way in improving our community for the benefit of all.
There were excellent performances from singer Heather Jayne and dancers Charlotte & Bella.
Lady Marina Dalglish MBE was a VIP guest alongside Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald and Southport Royal British Legion President Serena Silcock-Prince.
VIP guest the Mayor of Sefton, Cllr June Burns, was invited onto stage and given a special presentation of flowers ahead of her stepping down from her role in May after three years supporting the local community.
Queenscourt Hospice is a local charity that provides support for the people of West Lancashire, Southport and Formby.
Queenscourt provides access to specialist palliative care either at home (including care homes), hospital or in Queenscourt via the Inpatient Unit or as an Outpatient. Queenscourt at Home supports patients, and those important to them, to be cared for in their own home, if that is their preference.
- For more details about Queenscourt Hospice please visit: Queenscourt Hospice | Where life is for living
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