His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will be visiting Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court later this month, attending a special reception celebrating his 30 years of Patronage

The Prince has been Patron of Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice since 1986, and always makes sure he visits the hospice every other Christmas to spend time with patients and to find out how the hospice is developing its specialist end of life and palliative care services.

During the visit on Thursday December 22 he will tour the hospice, speaking with patients and families in the day hospice and inpatient care unit, as well as meeting volunteers, nurses and staff who provide incredible care at the hospice.

Elise Hoadley, Hospice Director at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice said, “His Royal Highness’ visits are always regarded as a real red letter day for our patients, families, volunteers and staff. It will be privilege to spend time with our Patron as he meets families, giving patients and their loved ones a special memory they can treasure.”

Normally this is a private visit, but this year the hospice will be holding a special celebration to honour 30 years of Patronage by the Prince in a reception with invited guests made up of hospice volunteers, donors and staff who have supported the hospice during this time.

Elise adds, “This year is extra special as we mark 30 years of Patronage by His Royal Highness, and we’re immensely looking forward to celebrating this milestone with some of those wonderful volunteers and supporters who have helped us provide care for local people through giving their time, skills and financial support over the past 30 years too.”

During His Royal Highness’ Patronage, 11,500 people have been cared for in the hospice and in the local community.

Elise Hoadley, Hospice Director at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice said, “As a charity, our incredible care could not have been provided during this time without the generous support of so many fundraisers, donors and the vital support of our current 207-strong team of volunteers.”

As the only inpatient specialist care unit in Gloucestershire, Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court has 16 beds giving expert inpatient palliative care alongside its hospice at home and day hospice services for people aged 18 and over living with conditions like cancer and other long term conditions like heart failure, lung disease, Motor Neurone disease and other neurological disorders.

However, there are an estimated 4,300 people in Gloucestershire in need of hospice care, and as many as 1,100 who cannot currently access the care they need.To address this, the hospice is working closely with the NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group and other hospice care providers in the county to transform end of life care for local people. Together they aim to give every patient the care they need to spend the time they have left in the way they choose. As part of his visit, HRH will be invited to meet with members of this group to hear more about this work. For more information on Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice visit the website here.