Professional paper

History of the first hospice department in Croatia

Marijan Cesarik
Željko Glavić

Abstract

In the spring of 1991 a new department, inspired by the "St Christopher’s Hospice" movement, was added to the Neuropsychiatric Service of the District General Hospital in Požega. The purpose of this new hospice was palliative care for the patients in terminal stages of illness. It was also intended to help the family communicate with the patient in the last stages of illiness. The department was open to all, regardless of sex, age, religion or ability to pay. During the war in Croatia the Hospital’s financial problems and a lack of nurses reached a critical point, which resulted in the closure of the hospice after a year of dedicated service. Our experience could be helpful in discussing how to transform a part of a hospital into a hospice, in order to provide better medical and psychological care for the patients in terminal stages of illiness and their families.

Keywords

Croatia; history; hospice department

Hrčak ID:

193267

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/193267

Publication date:

1.12.1994.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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