About Cowal Hospice Trust
Patron - Sir Charles Maclean of Dunconnel, is our registered patron.
Objectives and Activities - The Trust operates in partnership with NHS Highland within the Hospice Inpatient Unit in the Cowal Community Hospital to provide services for the control and relief of pain, particularly for terminally ill patients. NHS Highland provides the premises, staff and care and the Trust provides the specialist equipment and volunteer support.
Through its team of volunteer drivers, the Trust provides a Patient Car Transport service to hospitals and other treatment centres throughout the West of Scotland. The drivers are unpaid although their costs are reimbursed. The Trust runs a shop in Dunoon, which is entirely staffed by volunteers. From time to time, the Trust also provides bursaries and scholarships to permit health care professionals to extend their knowledge of and to receive training in palliative care.
The Trustees
Dr S. Brennan (Chairperson)
Mrs S. Rennie (Secretary)
Mr J. Ross (Treasurer)
Mr A. Lothian
Mr G. Lynn
Mrs S. McKechnie
Mrs L. Pittman
Mr S. MacPherson
Mrs. J Brannan
Mr D. McIntyre
Our History 1992 - 1997
In 1992 a group of enthusiastic local people who had identified a need in Cowal got together to set up a trust to raise money to provide a hospice. The dream was for a "stand alone" facility
Our History 1998 - 2003
The day hospice is opened
It soon became clear that there was a need for a day hospice where patients could come together for treatment and for mutual support but this was not in the budget of the Health Board.
Our History 2009 - 2011
In September 2009 the trustees felt that the hospice needed a face-lift and this was carried out during the temporary closure in early 2010 at a cost of £62,000. A considerable part of the cost was necessary in order to bring the hospice into line with the latest infection control and patient handling regulations.
Our History 2012 - 2018
The original hospice area has now been developed to provide alternative therapies and treatments. The day hospice "club" returns in 2015 as "CHATS" - Cowal Hospice and Therapy Services.
Our Thanks
Our sincere thanks go to all those who have helped over the years of establishing and running Cowal Hospice Trust.
Training
The Trust has a budget of £10,000 per annum available to fund the training of any member of the hospital staff on palliative care related courses etc. If you are interesting in finding out more about this bursary, please contact us