'' Just when I finally become accustomed to things, you take away what little I have.''                                                In desperation I turn into a cocoon and await the end.                                                 Days later, I find myself transformed into a beautiful butterfly and able to fly!                                                                                Excerpt from: Paulo,Coelho.                                             HISTORY OF ST LUKE'S HOSPICE 

St Luke's Hospice was established in Cape Town in the late 1970's by Dame Cecily Saunders, the world renowned initiator of the hospice concept. The organization was officially incorporated as a non-profit company on 13 August 1980, to care for all people in need of its services regardless of their ability to pay, or of their class, colour or creed. 

ST LUKE'S HOSPICE WEST COAST

St Luke's Hospice West Coast was founded by Jenny and John Bell in 1993 when they realised there was a need for such a service in the West Coast area, the first official committee meeting was held that year and St Luke's Hospice West Coast was born.                                                                                                                                                                   After operating for some time from their own dining room, in December of 1994 rented premises were found in Milpark Centre Milnerton and the running of the office was transferred. Thanks to the generosity from the public in the latter half of 1997 a property was purchased in Hof Street Table View to firmly establish St Luke’s Hospice West Coast in the area. This house still serves as our office and as our Day Hospice facility today, although over the years many improvements and changes have been made to accommodate our growing needs.                                                                                                                                         

St Luke's Hospice West Coast opened its first charity shop in rented premises in Milnerton in 2000 and in March of 2003 we were fortunate to be able to buy our second property on Blaauwberg Road in Table View where we established our second successful operating charity shop.

With the proceeds from these two charity shops and the continued support from the public, St Luke's Hospice West Coast has gone from strength to strength in providing quality Palliative Care to the community.      

                                                        In Memory of John Bell                                                      
                                                     
                                                                  1941 - 2021 


                                                WHO CAN ACCESS HOSPICE

The diagnosis of the patients’ illness must fall into one of the following conditions:               Cancer, HIV / Aids, End stage Heart, Lung, Liver & Kidney failure, Motor Neuron disease  Excluding  

On dialysis, Alzheimer’s disease, Strokes, Dementia and Parkinson's Psychosis  Alcohol / Drug withdrawal.                                                                                                                                                               WHEN SHOULD A PATIENT BE REFERRED                                                                                                                                                                                        Patients are ideally referred to us when treatment moves from the curative to palliative         phase. This allows time for the patients and family to form a supportive relationship with the St Luke’s Hospice team, resulting in the patient receiving optimum care.      

                                                                                                                                                                                                      You matter because you are. 

'' You matter until the very last moment of your life and we will do all we can.
Not only to help you die peacefully. But to live until you die." 

Dame Cicely Saunders - Founder of the Modern Day Hospice Movement