St Oswald’s Hospice is marking 40 years of supporting people across the North East, four decades after opening on 7 July 1986 as a 10-bed inpatient unit. Since then, the hospice has expanded its services to children, young adults and older people in the community.
From 10 beds to a wider community service
Officially opened by Princess Alexandra in 1987, St Oswald’s has grown in line with the needs of those who use it. A dedicated day service building opened in 1997, followed by the children’s services building in 2003, an outpatient suite in 2009, young adult services in 2012, a standalone bereavement centre in 2013, the Focus on Living Centre in 2014 and the Young Adults Accommodation building, completed in 2025. The then Prince Charles visited in 2004.
All services are free to the community with a referral from any health care professional, not just a GP.
Famous faces and art trails
Over the years, St Oswald’s has welcomed a range of well-known visitors. Princess Diana came in 1992, David Bellamy planted a tree in 1997, Denise Welch and Tim Healy visited in the 1990s, and Kieran Trippier became an ambassador in 2024. Paul Gascoigne and Terry McDermott visited the hospice in 1988.
The hospice is currently running its fourth art trail, with Peter Rabbits appearing around the city following the success of its Snow Dog, Elmer and Shaun the Sheep trails.
First-hand memories
Angela Egdell, director of care service, was one of the first team of 40 nurses who started in 1986. She said: “40 years ago, I walked through the doors of St Oswald’s Hospice as a recently qualified nurse. We spent those first few weeks learning about palliative care, getting to know one another and getting lost in the building. Looking back, it was a mix of fun and nerves as we all realised how little we felt we knew.”
She said: “None of us could have imagined what St Oswald’s would become over the next four decades.”
Looking to the future
Chief Executive Steph Edusei said: “We have learnt so much about how we can change. People have changed, what their grandparents wanted is very different to what they want.”
Linsey Preston, who lined the streets as a 10-year-old in 1986 to welcome the royal visit, said: “I never imagined that the Hospice I waved flags for as a child would one day become such an important part of my daughter’s life.”
