At the now former Heald Green site, Linda Riley became the last ever patient to be cared for in the building that has looked after tens of thousands of patients over the last five decades. Linda said: “I feel very privileged to be the last patient cared for here. When I was told I was coming here, I was a little nervous because the word makes you nervous but it is not what I thought it was. It’s somewhere that cares for you. It’s made me feel a lot better.”
The team who were stationed at the old hospice building, helping move patients to the new facility, gathered in the reception to wave Linda off as she headed for the ambulance to take her to her new room. It was an emotional occasion for the staff who had cared for hundreds and thousands of patients within the walls of the now former site.
Kathy Edwards, a healthcare assistant at Moya Cole Hospice, said: “It’s very emotional but happy. We are happy to be moving over to our new surroundings with a lovely new building. It’s a fresh start for everyone.”
Suzanne Willans, who has worked at the Heald Green hospice for more than 30 years, said: “There’s a lot of happy memories here, a lifetime of memories. We are looking forward to moving into the new build knowing that patients in the area are going to get the best care and the best premises ever.”
The walls of the now former Heald Green site have seen many momentous occasions throughout the years, including visits from Princess Diana and Princess Anne. The building has played host to all sorts of animal visits, such as donkeys, horses, ducks, dogs, cats, and even llamas, all at patients’ request. Pantomimes have been held in the old Being You Centre Lounge; summer fairs were held in its car park. “We take all of those memories, and we bring them with us to our new home,” adjacent to the current site.
Moya Cole Hospice provides holistic care to patients with life-limiting illnesses, comprising inpatient care, day therapy, and supportive outpatient services from its sites at Heald Green, Stockport, and Little Hulton, Salford. The teams also provide a range of community and outreach services, including care in patients’ homes via a Hospice at Home service in Salford and Trafford, the hospice’s Community Specialist Palliative Care Team in Salford, and the homelessness palliative care service in Manchester. A 24-hour telephone advice line is available to patients, carers, and healthcare professionals in Salford, Manchester, Trafford, and Stockport.
