A DOCTOR who has cared for patients and their loved one at a hospice for more than 20 years has retired. 

Dr George Kurian, a Palliative Care Specialist Doctor, has spent about 23 years at St David’s Hospice.

As well as working for the Llandudno site, he has worked at the Hafan Dewi Sant, St David’s Day Therapy Centre in Bangor, and the charity's four-bed ward based at Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley in Holyhead.

Before joining St David's Hospice, Dr Kurian was a GP in Bangor.

Before becoming a GP, Dr Kurian worked as a junior doctor for Dr Oliver Galpin; Dr Galpin was one of the founders of St David’s Hospice and invited Dr Kurian to work at the then new Llandudno site.

“When I started there were only four beds in the hospice," Dr Kurian said.

"It was just a ward with no day therapy or café. I have seen growth over the years through increased beds as well as the opening of the charity’s drop in day therapy centre in Bangor and four-bed hospice in Holyhead”.

Dr Kurian, who carried out a diploma in Palliative medicine in Cardiff as part of his training, has lots of fond memories of working for St David’s Hospice.

He said: “I was asked to speak about St David’s Hospice on a number of occasions. I have spoken to organisations such as Rotary to talk about our work. Many of these talks led to receiving donations for the charity.”

Dr Kurian is aware of the assumptions by the public regarding hospice care and throughout his career has worked hard to dispel the myths

“A lot of people, even my doctor friends, are surprised when I tell them that the hospice is a happy place," he said.

"It’s to do with the personalities of the people who work at the hospice. It’s not just the medical staff – it is like a jigsaw that fits into place, everyone has their part to play in making a patient feel comfortable and safe.

“My hopes for the future of the hospice is that it will receive more funding from Welsh Government. I think most people are surprised how we survive, they think the hospice is part of the NHS.

RELATED STORIES

"A friend came over from Singapore a few years ago and I showed him the hospice. He looked around and said it was a wonderful place. The first question he asked me was ‘how much does it cost to stay one night here?’ 

"He assumed patients paid for the service. He just couldn’t believe it was all free."

Dr Kurian added: “I will miss the camaraderie and the support and time spent with the team – the love and laughter.

"All these things make a difference."