Glasgow’s new hospice opens its doors

Glasgow’s state-of-the-art new £21 million Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice opens its doors for the first time today.

Located on a 7.5-acre green site in the city’s Bellahouston Park, the new facility will lead the way in palliative care, offering an unrivalled standard of support to 1200 new patients and families every year in a purpose-built building.

As the hospice opened, it was revealed that the building will be named in honour of Sir Arnold Clark, one of Scotland’s most celebrated businessmen and entrepreneurs.

The Arnold Clark company contributed a six-figure donation to the hugely successful Brick by Brick Appeal to raise funds to build the new hospice on land in Bellahouston Park gifted by Glasgow City Council.

The appeal was launched in 2012 and it was announced in May 2018 that the £21 million target had been reached thanks to support from individuals, groups and corporate supporters.

Rhona Baillie, chief executive of The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, said: “This is a fantastic day for the thousands of people who have supported the Brick by Brick Appeal over the past six years, for our staff and volunteers and, most importantly, for the patients and families we care for.

“This wonderful new building, located in a beautiful setting in one of Glasgow’s most-loved parks, will allow us to provide the very highest standards of palliative care.

“Arnold Clark made an extremely generous donation to our appeal and it feels entirely appropriate that we are able to recognise Sir Arnold’s legacy and bring two great Glasgow brands together by naming the new building in his honour.

“The support and generosity shown by all our donors across Glasgow, as well as the rest of the UK and abroad, has been absolutely overwhelming and we’re thrilled to finally be completing our move from our much-loved hospice in Carlton Place to our wonderful new building."

Lady Clark, Chairwoman of Arnold Clark, commented: “The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice is a hugely important facility offering the best palliative care to the people of Glasgow. We’re honoured to be part of its expansion and we are delighted to gift The Sir Arnold Clark Building and healing garden as part of Sir Arnold's legacy to the city he loved.”

The new building is the first in this country to be built to the Scandinavian Sengetun model of care, with adaptable private, social and family spaces specifically designed to boost wellbeing and create a sense of calm.

The hospice will provide home-style comfort with 16 en suite bedrooms with private terraces, soft-seated areas and open-plan kitchens.

Accommodation will allow patients and families the opportunity to spend time together, with the aim of providing more space, independence and privacy to allow greater opportunities for normal family activity.

The hospice’s commitment to the palliative care of young people aged 16 and over will also include specialised accommodation to meet their particular needs, including family bedrooms, lounges, social areas, complementary therapy rooms, spa bathrooms, sanctuary, sensory room, a young people’s lounge and training rooms,