Inside St Christopher’s hospice: Doctors come from all around the world to be trained in palliative care

In 2016, 2,008 people attended education sessions at St Christopher’s

St Christopher’s hospice is celebrating 50 years. The hospice was founded in 1967 and is widely recognised as the first modern hospice in the UK. Located in Sydenham, it provides care and support to more than 6,000 people across five south east London boroughs (Bromley, Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark).

Despite its main mission of providing palliative care for terminally ill patients, at St Christopher’s the focus is on life, rather than death. The hospice runs several activities to support in and outpatients, their families and the local community.

To mark its 50th anniversary, The Independent is releasing a six-episode series, highlighting the stories of the people who have been benefiting from the hospice’s services to live a better life.

In the fourth episode, we had a look at the Education service provided by the hospice for the past 40 years, in which medical professionals from all over the world take part in different training sessions.

We followed Indian Dr Hemlata Dhaundiyal on a day-visit to St Christopher’s to attend a palliative care course and learn more about medical practices in the UK.

“I did go through a terminal illness and I found that palliative care is something that we require”, said Dr Dhaundiyal. “I needed to know more and I decided that the best place to come would be St Christopher’s”, she added.

In 2006, 2,008 people attended education sessions at St Christopher’s.

“We get enquiries every week from people all across the globe. People come here often to have a look at the wards and see the Education Centre”, said Shaun O’Leary, Joint Chief Executive at St Christopher’s.

“They also, thankfully, share their own experiences - in their own cultures and countries - and we learn from them”, he said.

St Christopher's hospice is located in 51-59 Lawrie Park Road, London, SE26 6DZ

For more information, visit: http://www.stchristophers.org.uk/