A stalwart of Hospice movement retires
Sister Jane Phillips, general manager at Breede River Hospice, will bid farewell to the organisation after serving for more than 20 years.
A legend among friends and colleagues for her contribution to the development of BRH over the years, Phillips has left a remarkable legacy.
She joined the organisation in April 1999 as a palliative care nurse and the very first staff member.
As the organisation grew, the need for a Patient Care Manager was identified and she was deservedly promoted to this position,” Priscilla Cloete, Media and Donor Relations Manager.
The hospice has had many successes under Phillips’ caring and gentle leadership, including the status of Centre for Palliative Care Learning (CPCL) from the Hospice Palliative Care Association.
In 2006, when its Council for Health Service Accreditation of Southern Africa (Cohsasa) accreditation process began, Phillips led the BRH in becoming the 11th South African hospice to receive this CPCL status.
Since taking the reins as general manager in September 2008, Phillips started building relationships that allowed BRH to become a major contributor to community health and welfare in the Langeberg region.
In June 2016, a long-term goal of Phillips was realised. The BRAM Care Centre was integrated into Hospice, and she was part of the team that negotiated it.
“Jane’s heart has always been with the community of Bonnievale,” Cloete added, “and we are thrilled that she will be taking her retirement from serving this community further.
“Her new dream, Huis Martha Jonker, a six-bed, 24-hour private care facility for the frail and terminally ill, was opened earlier this year.
“We wish her well with her new endeavour and draw comfort from the fact that she will never be far away. With gratitude and heartfelt thanks we say farewell to an amazing lady, friend and colleague.”
Source: Worcester Standard News