THE Friends Hospice in Paphos has been forced to scale down its operation due to the deepening economic crisis.
The hospice is currently the only operational hospice in Paphos and is situated in a dedicated wing of the Evangelismos hospital. Since opening in 2006, the facility has expanded and now consists of a seven-bed unit which is solely run by donations, money raised by the shops and fundraising events.
According to a hospice spokesman, running a multi-bed facility is no longer an option. He said: “We can’t continue as we are as we just can’t bring in the €500,000 which is needed to operate the hospice every year.”
“Sadly, the special wing in the hospice will be ‘mothballed’- but we will operate two beds providing hospice and palliative care in the main part of the Evangelismos hospital. To run an entire wing with electricity and so on is something we can’t afford to do at the moment.”
Although nursing levels have been reduced, five of the six nurses have been kept on. The clinical manager and five carers were also let go.
Chris Jones, the President of the Friends Hospice foundation said: “We will continue to offer palliative care to patients in the area. Many solutions to the economic situation were considered; however, in the current difficult financial climate, this was the only practical response we could take in order to continue providing hospice care.”
The hospice is run solely on donations, money raised by its charity shops, and through fundraising events. Around 500 people have been cared for at the hospice. Figures show an average occupancy of 70 per cent with most patients being Cypriot.
The two-bed facility will be able to take admissions immediately and there are hopes that if the economic climate changes, the hospice will be able to return to its own dedicated ward.
“The time had come to be realistic; we were hanging on by our fingernails. At least this way we can continue to help those in need of this specialist care,” said Jones.
Many of the paid staff members who have had to be let go have said they would continue to work for the hospice on a voluntary basis.
The Friends Hospice has charity shops situated in Kato Paphos, Chlorokas, Polis and Pissouri. To volunteer at a shop or to donate goods contact the Friends Hospice support group chairwoman, Julia on 99 177 479.