2017; Volume 18, No 6, June

IAHPC Membership Matters . . . Spotlight on Cudeca

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Cudeca celebrates 25 years of providing specialist palliative care in the Province of Málaga, Spain

Following the 21st anniversary issue of the IAHPC Newsletter in April, we were delighted to receive a message of congratulation from Mrs. Joan Hunt on behalf of Cudeca in Spain. Joan explained that Cudeca was also celebrating a special anniversary this year and proudly reminded us that it had joined the IAHPC back in 1995, making Cudeca one of our earliest members.

Dr. Marisa Martín Roselló, Chief Executive and Medical Director, and Mrs. Joan Hunt, OBE, Honorary President and Founder, describe some of Cudeca’s biggest milestones of the past 25 years.

Cudeca Hospice Palliative Care Center overlooking the Mediterranean sea

In the early 1990s palliative care as we know it today was practically unknown in Spain. However, due to the experience of a British resident during the terminal illness of her husband through cancer, and the enthusiasm of a small palliative medical group working in the local Red Cross hospital in Málaga, interest and enthusiasm for this special end-of- life care was born. Now, 25 years later, this small group is celebrating its important silver anniversary.

From this small beginning, Foundation Cudeca (Cuidados del Cancer – Cancer Care) was registered in Spain as a charity in 1992. It was formed by a small group of volunteers with the intention of providing hospice palliative care to people suffering from a life-threatening illness, mainly cancer. Their promise: to relieve, care for, and accompany patients and their families with compassion and dignity until the end.

The garden at Cudeca Hospice Palliative Care Center – a tranquil space for patients and families

Their vision of a Hospice Palliative Center became a reality in 1995 with the donation of land from the local municipality of Benalmádena. The basic structure was completed in 2000, the first initiative of a day care center was opened in 2003, and the final stage of the in-patient unit was available for patients in 2005. The in-patient unit is a very special place; all the rooms have a private terrace on to a lovely garden – a tranquil area that maintains dignity and compassion until the end.

The total number of patients cared for each year is approximately 1,250; the majority of patients remain at home with care provided by the mobile home care teams. During the past 25 years, Cudeca has cared for a total of more than 13,000 patients, completely free of charge, which has included support to their families. This has been possible thanks to the practical help received from the local community, who have cooperated by raising funds through a variety of fundraising events such as donations, legacies and charity shops.

A Masters Degree in Palliative Care has been developed in collaboration with the University of Málaga and the General Foundation of the University of Málaga involving professional medical personnel from Cudeca. Future projects include the improvement of Palliative Care for Children and the construction of a Training Center as a way of financing Cudeca´s care and spreading the knowledge of palliative care among national and international professionals. The mission of Cudeca is to ensure dignity, hope and autonomy for all our patients and their families at the end of life.

Cudeca has more than 900 volunteers supporting the charity in many ways: supporting patients, helping in the day care center, administrative duties and working in the 18 charity shops located throughout the province of Málaga.

Cudeca personnel are proud to be part of a worldwide group of medical specialists and carers who are devoted to the wellbeing and dignity of patients who are unable to respond to curative medicine.

Links

• Cudeca

Editor’s note

Our very good wishes to everyone at Cudeca and congratulations on all you have achieved.

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