01
Chair’s
Welcome

As I reflect on the remarkable achievements of St Columba’s Hospice Care over the past year, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the incredible work of our staff, volunteers, and partners.

Our annual impact report is an opportunity to celebrate the spirit of compassion and dedication that permeates every aspect of our organisation.

At the heart of our mission lies a commitment to building connections and utilising our networks to create a stronger future for all those we serve. Our objectives, deeply ingrained in our founding principles, propel us forward with a clear purpose: to provide pioneering palliative care, and to offer care and support to patients, their families, and all people connected to our hospice community.

Throughout the challenges of the past year, we have remained steadfast in our efforts to implement our strategy and adapt to a changing world. Together, we have navigated a volatile financial landscape and made fundamental decisions to ensure the sustainability of our services. By growing and utilising our connections and networks, we engaged in strategic workshops with our Board of Governors and Senior Leadership team, resulting in a shift in balance of care from bed-based inpatient care, to providing care as close as possible to people’s own homes. As a result, we have seen a 48% increase in the number of people we support across all clinical services, reaching an astounding 1,279 individuals this year.

This transformation has been made possible by the dedication and expertise of our staff and volunteers. They have demonstrated unwavering commitment to our vision of providing unparalleled hospice care and support to all those who need it. Our ‘Hospice at Home’ service, a product of this new strategy, has flourished, and we have even launched a pilot of five ‘Virtual Beds,’ offering intensive support within the comfort of patients’ homes.

Our network of professionals, volunteers, and supporters has been instrumental in our progress. The integration of a shared leadership model has fostered collaboration, enhanced communication, and empowered future leaders to emerge. We are humbled by the recognition of our inclusive approach, as evidenced by the Gold status awarded to us by Investors in People.

Our connections extend beyond the borders of our hospice, reaching out to other Scottish hospices and the Scottish Government. Together, we are navigating the challenges of an ever-growing demand for palliative care and working towards a sustainable statutory funding framework to support our charitable activities.

Amidst all this, our patient and family support services have seen a surge in demand, especially for bereavement support in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our dedicated team has risen to the occasion, offering a blended model of virtual and face-to-face support, ensuring accessibility and efficiency for those in need.