Breede River Hospice

Founded in 1996, after a steering  committee was formed to assess the necessity for- and feasibility of- establishing a Palliative Care organisation within the then Breede River Winelands region.

While the steering committee was conducting the needs assessment and feasibility study, 15 volunteers were recruited.  These potential caregivers and counsellors completed a Hospice Orientation Course provided by the Hospice Association of the Western Cape in March, 1998.  Several volunteers also completed bereavement courses and a nursing sister, qualified in the short course in palliative nursing, was employed.  Operating from rented premises in Robertson, BRH listed in its first patient in March, 1999.

In September 1999, BRH was registered as a Section 21 Company and with SARS as a Public Benefit Organisation in terms of Section 18A of the Income Tax Act.

In February 2002, the organisation purchased its own premises – 62 Paul Kruger Street in Robertson – and commenced rendering Day Care services for patients and Palliative Care training courses.  ‘Hospice House’ still serves as its administrative centre – with offices for all its management personnel.  Thanks to the fundraising efforts of Gordon Bamford the old garages were renovated into a training room named after Mr Bamford and opened in his honour in 2003.

In our belief that everyone has a right to quality care, we deliver our essential care-giving services entirely for free!