Our History
Conception
The concept of a Hospice for the North West of Ireland began when local GP Dr Tom McGinley was visiting an 18 year old man dying of terminal cancer. Dr Tom felt, not only his own inadequacy, but also that of the Health Service in general at being unable to provide the necessary care for this young man. This failure became a personal challenge which subsequently became the vision of a Hospice for the area. A small steering committee was set up in early 1984 and intense fundraising started in earnest.
Phase One
Home Care team set up in 1985 with the appointment of 2 Specialist Palliative Home Care nurses.
Phase Two
Opening of a 9 bed Inpatient Unit on the 21st June 1991.
Phase Three
Opening of the Day Care Centre in 2001.
Gairdin Tomas
We are delighted to announce that Gairdin Tomas, a rose garden on our grounds has been developed and dedicated to the memory of Dr Tom McGinley. We know that the Hospice gardens were very special to Dr Tom as he spent countless hours developing and working in them to ensure they were a wonderful place for patients and families.
The rose garden is located close to the gazebo which he donated in memory of his late wife Deirdre. Gairdin Tomas also has a view of the Foyle Bridge which had a special significance to him as he felt Foyle Hospice was a bridge between the two communities and a bridge between life and death for many.
The garden will be here for years to come and is a special place for all of us to enjoy while remembering Dr Tom McGinley and his great achievements.
