The Arodaphnousa Hospice was established in 1976 by the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society initially as a nursing home for patients dying of cancer. For the first twenty years the hospice was run entirely by nurses. In 1991, inspired by the UK Hospice movement, the Matron, Neophyta Kouppi, attended a course in palliative care at St Christopher’s Hospice in London, UK. On her return, she encouraged the Society to develop a dedicated palliative care team. By the mid 1990s they had well-established links with oncologists who would make weekly visits and advise, prescribe and adjust medications. The nurses, led by Neophyta Kouppi, ran the in-patient unit and provided home care, often working long hours in remote areas of the island. In 1996, the Society employed a social worker, who could develop much-needed psychosocial services, and in 1999 employed a full time psychologist. In 1998, the Society funded a scholarship for a doctor to take a Masters in Palliative Medicine at Glasgow University, UK. Dr Sophia Pantekhi returned in 1999 to the first full time post of Medical Director for the hospice. Since 2002, the Society has been able to fund the specialist training and full time post of a second physician, Dr Eleni Karatzia, who is now working with the Medical Director. By 2000, the hospice had gained recognition as a palliative care centre, able to provide palliative care education, with a multi-professional team. A purpose-built conference room and library is currently being completed at the hospice.

Arodaphnousa Hospice has increased the numbers of patients treated by supporting more people to be discharged back home, once their symptoms are controlled, and to receive care from the home care team. As Sophia Pantekhi explains:

‘We’re trying to keep the patients at the hospice no longer than 14 days depending on their need for pain and symptom control, complementary therapies and whether the family need support with respite care. In the past they just leave the patients to stay here for months and a few of them for a year. We have increased the discharge of patients, we refer them to the home care service.’³⁸

Neophyta Kouppi relates the success of the home care and how it developed from a clear response to the need of patients:

‘I found ladies crying in the sitting room of the Oncology Department, not because the husband has cancer or because he was going to die, but because they couldn’t help him at home and the doctor had said, “You have to take him home, we finished treatment.” And that was very difficult for the family. So I wanted to do something and I was very enthusiastic. I wanted to do many things for cancer patients and I thought that first to go to their house and help them and then they will trust me and trust Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society, and slowly, slowly we changed things, especially with the oncologists. I believe that when they saw the benefits from visiting the patients at home the oncologists were willing to improve cooperation with us. Gradually we started to employ nurses in other districts too, and I used to work here and go round the districts and help the nurses, and slowly we start to cooperate with the local doctors in districts with the social workers, and with the government Welfare Office about economic problems and other problems. And we asked the psychologists from the government services to support patients. Now the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society employs social workers, psychologists and their own doctors. Now things are much better and easier.’³⁹