Queenscourt founder Dr Karen Groves MBE has revealed just why the hospice is so incredibly special.
She spoke as she was invited to open the 2022 Southport Flower Show, which she praised as “the largest independent charitably-run flower show in the country” and an event that Southport “should be proud of”.
Dr Groves is retiring this year, over 30 years after she and her sister, Sarah, worked to create Queenscourt.
The hospice building, on Town Lane in Southport, opened its Day Therapy and five inpatient beds on June 1st 1991 and later that year increased to a 10-bed ward.
In 1992, Diana Princess of Wales officially opened Queenscourt.
At Victoria Park, TV presenter Paul Crone paid tribute to Dr Groves as he applauded her for officially opening the 2022 Southport Flower Show – and wished her well on her forthcoming retirement.
He said: “The sad news is that after three decades of dedicated service, Karen is actually retiring. If anyone has earned their retirement it is you.
“You have made such a fantastic difference.
“Can you explain why Queenscourt Hospice is so, so special to this area?”
Dr Groves said: “It is special because prior to Queenscourt existing, there was very little in the way of palliative care in this town.
“People who were approaching their end of life and their lives were very symptomatic and in pain and were sick, frightened, would not have a great deal to turn to. The science of palliative care was very new.
“So, for me, Queenscourt is about that person coming in or being seen at home, it doesn’t matter where it is. They may be very distressed, very upset, very symptomatic, very uncomfortable. And within a very short space of time, with a really good palliative care assessment, and beginning to relax because they are being listened to, and then having the skills that the team can offer, and within a couple of hours relaxing and having a cup of tea because all is right with the world.
“That is how it should be.”
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