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History
The rich history of Compton Hospice
Progressing patient-centred care through the years.
Compton Hospice passes its 30th anniversary milestone in 2012 and is proud to have provided nationally-renowned care to patients across the Black Country throughout this time.
Compton Hall, along with its stables, coach houses, yard, servants’ quarters and lodge, was built between 1840 and 1850 and is set in four-and-a-half acres of woodland and gardens.
After housing evacuees during the war, it became a home for nurses working at the Midlands County Eye Infirmary.
When this provision was no longer needed, a health council working group, led by Councillor Stephen Morton, petitioned for it to be used as a care facility for terminally-ill patients.
With help from National Cancer Relief, the regional health authority and Wolverhampton Rotary, a staggering £454,000 was raised, making the necessary building works possible to transform the old hall into a 16-bed unit.
Compton Hospice welcomed its first patients in February 1982 and was officially opened by the Duchess of Kent on November 9.
Over the years it has continually reinvented itself to serve the needs of a growing community.
Staff levels have more than doubled, with 260 paid employees and a further 630 volunteers now working within the organisation, and extensions have added to hospice facilities.
Advancements in medical treatments have created changes in the way patients are cared for through the hospice. More emphasis is placed on home care nursing as well as in-patient care, making the treatment and support of more than 600 people each day possible.
Ward beds increased from16 to 22, then in 2011 a complete refurbishment transformed the in-patient unit - replacing the 2 and 4-bedded wards with 18 single en-suite rooms for patients.
A day therapy centre now provides respite care for 20 visitors each day and a unit dedicated to the treatment of lymphoedema, helps thousands of people each year.
We also offer bereavement support to adults and children, helping relatives through the difficult process of the loss of a loved one.
Social workers, physiotherapists and complementary therapists have increased the services provided and holistic treatments such as reiki, aromatherapy and massage helped more than 800 patients last year alone.
Our expertise is now helping to shape care provision of the future across the UK, through the professional courses offered by our education department, training a range of healthcare workers in all aspects of palliative care since 1983.
We will continue to strive to improve our nationally renowned care for years to come.
If you have any further questions about Compton Hospice and General, please call 0845 225 5497 or contact us. We will do our utmost to help with your enquiry.
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