Over 75 years of care in Clydebank.
Born out of a community rebuilding after the Clydebank Blitz, our story begins with the Religious Sisters of Charity and a single house in Millbrae Crescent. Over 75 years, that house became Scotland's largest hospice.
Our Hospice timeline
1948
The Sisters arrive in Clydebank
The Religious Sisters of Charity open their first Scottish convent in Clydebank, at the request of Father Michael Ward, parish priest at Our Holy Redeemer. He had worked tirelessly to rebuild the community after the devastation of the Clydebank Blitz seven years earlier.
c. 1950
A man with nowhere to go
Around two years after the Sisters arrive, a man with advanced throat cancer comes looking for respite, saying he has nowhere to go. The Sisters contact Dublin, who send a colleague trained in nursing. This is how the Hospice's care begins.
1952
Second house opens
Growing demand leads to a second house opening in Mill Road, next door to the original building. It quickly becomes clear that a purpose-built facility will be needed.
1971
Purpose-built Hospice opens
The new Hospice opens on 29th September in East Barns Street, caring for 60 in-patients and 50 home care patients across palliative care and complex nursing care.
1988
Community Palliative Care Service
Two specialist palliative care nurses begin visiting patients and families at home, providing pain and symptom management, psychological, social, and spiritual support throughout illness and bereavement.
1993
First floor extension opens
St Joseph's Ward moves upstairs to a newly developed 27-bed unit. The ground floor is refurbished and Day Hospice and out-patient clinics are launched.
1998
Sir Patrick Hamill Education Centre
A state-of-the-art education centre opens, named after Sir Patrick Hamill in recognition of over 15 years of dedication as Chairman of the Hospice.
2000
Golden Jubilee year
Fifty years of care celebrated. A new hydrotherapy pool and spa opens thanks to the generosity of Reverend Alfred Graham Charles Langford.
2006
Mary Aikenhead Centre opens
A new 30-bed purpose-built unit for patients with complex clinical and nursing needs, with ten single rooms and nine twin rooms, en-suite wet rooms, and private courtyard gardens.
2012
Royal visit
HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh visit the Hospice on 4th July during the Diamond Jubilee — one of three royal opening ceremonies in the Hospice's history.
2025
Building Appeal launched
Work begins on a £5 million transformation, a full refurbishment of St Joseph's Ward, replacement of the building envelope, and new spaces designed around the needs of patients and families.