New hospice officially opens (From Enfield Independent)

New North London Hospice facility officially opened

1:49pm Friday 14th September 2012 in News By Bruce Thain

A new hospice to care for people with life-limiting illnesses in Enfield was officially opened last night.

The North London Hospice facility, in Barrowell Green, Winchmore Hill, was opened by 76-year-old patient Eleni Robb who cut the ribbon to the centre.

The opening ceremony was attended by more than 100 people including the Mayor of Enfield Councillor Kate Anolue and MP for Enfield-Southgate David Burrowes.

The North London Hospice will provide care for people life-limiting or terminal illness and offer support for their careers.

Joe Attridge, whose wife Anna died at the hospice in February 2006, gave a speech to guests.

He said: “I am so excited that North London Hospice in Enfield is now open. I have never been involved in a new project but this is so special because it is helping people in the community live their lives.

“The building is lovely as is the gardens but the life of the hospice, the heart of the hospice is the patients.

“Day services are a lifeline to patients. It lifts their spirits – sometimes it’s the only time they leave home in a week.

“My wife Anna found the hospice to be a safe, caring and loving environment at a time of great vulnerability. She called it a home from home.”

The North London Hospice has provided care for outpatients in Enfield, Barnet and Haringey for nearly two decades and cares for 1,350 patients a year.