Our history

Our history, important achievements and special days!

1980

11 January 1980

Idea for a hospice is born.  Geoffrey Gardner meets Edwin and Kathleen Stevens. They have the vision of a hospice in Esher.

1981

20 August 1981

A site is purchased.  Financed by a donation from the Stevens', the Trustees acquire the 3 1/2 acre green belt site for £78,000.

5 November 1981

Mayor of Elmbridge, Virginia Waller, launches appeal.  More than £2 million is needed.  The Mayoral Appeal is backed up by local Appeals Committees across the catchment area.

1984

May 1984

Building work starts after £1.3 million has been raised.  George Wimpey begins construction to a design by architects Hutchinson, Locke and Monk.

1985

4 February 1985

First Princess Alice Hospice charity shop opens.  Based in loaned premises, the shop in Weybridge is the first of what will become 33 such outlets.

Summer 1985

Appointments to key staff are made.  Administrative Director is Ralph Murray, Medical Director is Dr Andrew Hoy and Director of Nursing is Angela Walton.

13 November 1985

First in-patient is admitted.  There are 12 in-patients by Christmas.  Within two years the Hospice will be admitting more than 400 patients each year.

November 1985

Friends of Princess Alice Hospice formed.  Run wholly by volunteers, the Friends begin three decades of organising popular fundraising events.

1986

20 March 1986

The Queen Mother officially opens the Hospice.  She speaks of her connections with Princess Alice and congratulates those who have made the Hospice a reality.

1990

October 1990

Appeal for Education Centre is launched.  By Spring of 1991, legacies and donations totalling close to £1 million mean that tendering for the building can start.

1991

March 1991

Number of patients referred in a year tops 1,000.  For the first time, more than 1,000 patients are referred annually to the Hospice by local GPs and hospitals.  Today this figure is more than 1,500.

1992

31 December 1992

Shops turn over £1 million a year for the first time.  In all, 18 Hospice shops are now open.

1993

22 January 1993

First major conference is held at new Education Centre.  'Palliative care through education' is opened by newsreader Martyn Lewis.  Attendees come from a range of disciplines in palliative care.

1995

18 March 1995

Hospice hosts first day to support bereaved children.  Children aged 4 to 16 spend a day with bereavement counsellors and take part in activities.

1997

25 April 1997

The much needed new Day Centre is opened by the Mayor of Elmbridge, Cllr Hugh Ashton.

May 1997

Princess Alice Hospice lottery launched by David Jacobs.  Weekly draw is launched with tickets at £1 each and first prize of £1,000.  By 2010 the lottery will have raised more than £4 million.

2001

January 2001

Complementary therapies are expanded tenfold.  Aromatherapy, reflexology and massage are offered to patients on the Day Hospice and Ward.

October 2001

Certificate in Essential Palliative Care is started.  Targeted at healthcare professionals, the Certificate is a major component of the Education team's work.

2004

Community nurses make more than 10,000 home visits annually for the first time.The team of community nurses will be making more than 15,000 visits annually by 2010.

2005

25 May 2005

'Turning of the first turf' as building of new Hospice begins.  The £8.75 million redevelopment is the largest since the inception of the Hospice.  Clinical services are maintained off-site whilst building is carried out.

September 2005

'Dig Deep' campaign is launched by Chris Tarrant.  The appeal aims to fund the £3 million shortfall in new development - £2 million to complete the build and £1 million for running costs.

2006

5 June 2006

New Hospice is officially handed over.  Donors and supporters attend open days to tour the new buildings.

2008

December 2008

'Light up a Life' appeal raises over £150,000 for the first time.  Some 1,400 guests attend a service to remember loved ones.  Supporters unable to attend light candles and are part of the ceremony in mind and spirit.

2009

Four Inter-professional Experience courses are run.  The Hospice runs innovative placement schemes for final-year students in medicine, nursing, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

2010

Over 2,500 patients referred to the Hospice. Together with support to patients' families, the Hospice is caring for over 12,500 members of our local community.

Reinforced our position as a leader in palliative care education with a successful 'Spiritual Care at the End of Life' conference with key note speaker and Hospice Patron, Baroness Ilora Finlay

2011

Installed assistive technology in one room on the In-Patient ward, allowing patients with neurological conditions to control simple tasks and retain their independence.

Celebrating the Hospice's 25th anniversary with a Thanksgiving Service at Guildford Cathedral, a hugely successful Celebrity Golf Day and a party for over 950 supporters, together this events raised in excess of £50,000.