Content
History
The rich history of Compton Hospice
Progressing patient-centred care through the years.
Even the building’s history is ensconced in care.
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 Hall was officially opened as a hospice by the Duchess of Kent on November 9 1982.
But since its conversion, the hospice has not stood still. 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 500 people each day a possibility.
Ward beds have increased from the original 16 to 22 and a day unit now provides respite care for 20 people each day.
A unit dedicated to the treatment of lymphoedema, a debilitating side-effect of cancer treatments causing limbs to swell, helps thousands of people each year and a dedicated bereavement unit supports relatives through the difficult process of losing a loved-one after a long-term illness.
Social workers, physiotherapists and complementary therapists have increased the services provided and holistic treatments such as reiki, aromatherapy, massage and music therapy 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 look forward to continuing 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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