Tributes have been paid to the founder of Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
Dr Brian Herd became chair of the charity when it was first constituted and then president, only retiring last summer on his 90th birthday.
Working as a GP in Cockermouth in the mid-1980s, Dr Herd, with other healthcare colleagues and professionals, realised the lack of palliative care was impacting the quality of end of life support for local people in the region.
This group formed an alliance to improve the services available for patients and their families, with Dr Herd playing a pivotal role in driving forward a movement for change.
He spent time visiting other hospices around the country to understand how a service could be developed and implemented in West Cumbria, even meeting Dame Cicely Saunders, the founder of the modern hospice movement.
Reflecting on the hospice, he said: “When we first started, it was a totally new concept. We set out to provide full hospice care in a patient’s own home, rather than a separate building. At the time, some thought it would be impossible to achieve, but it has succeeded beyond our expectation.”
In January this year, Dr Herd received a letter from the King recognising his achievements and thanking him for his work in supporting the organisation over such a long period of time.
Brendon Cook, current chair of the charity said: “Brian was an exceptional person, he taught me a great deal, and I truly valued his support.
“He has been an incredible champion for Hospice at Home West Cumbria, and utterly passionate about the charity he helped to build.
“His drive and determination in those early days, and which continued for nearly forty years, means we have a superb organisation bringing enormous benefit to the local community.
“We owe him a great debt of gratitude, and he will be greatly missed by us all. We extend our most sincere condolences to his wife Margaret, and their family.”
Hospice at Home West Cumbria staff were there for Dr Herd and his family during his final weeks, enabling him to be at home.
