30 Years of HOSPICE in Romania
HOSPICE was born of a dream. 33 years ago, Graham Perolls blazed the trail for palliative care in Romania for patients diagnosed with an incurable illness. For most European states, palliative care is included in the national medical system and most patients have access to it. In Romania, however, before HOSPICE Casa Speranței was founded, the concept of palliative care did not even exist, and the medical system had very little to offer to patients diagnosed with an incurable illness.
Since 1992, over 50.000 people faced with a cruel challenge found solace at HOSPICE. They and their families received much needed support and learnt to face their illness with dignity.
Throughout the past 33 years, the organization grew to reach more and more patients and locations across the country, managing to have admitted in its two hospitals patients from 36 counties by 2020. In 2024, patients from 38 counties were admitted in its two hospitals. Currently, HOSPICE Casa Speranței employs over 270 staff members across two hospitals in Brașov and Bucharest, and the socio-medical centre in Adunații Copăceni. Over 400 volunteers participate in the organization’s activities.
22 aprilie
At Graham Perolls’ initiative, HOSPICE Casa Speranței is founded in Brașov, the first foundation in Romania dedicated to palliative care.
The first HOSPICE Casa Speranţei headquarters in Brașov (16 Poarta Schei street).
HOSPICE Casa Speranţei hires the foundation’s first oncologist, Dr. Daniela Moşoiu.
The first Centre for Medical Palliative Care Studies is inaugurated in Brașov.
The National Association for Palliative Care in Romania is founded (ANIP)
Palliative Care is recognized as medical supraspeciality in Romania
HOSPICE leads the development of the first national standards for palliative care in Romania
The first inpatient unit for palliative care—the HOSPICE Casa Speranței hospital in Brasov—is inaugurated in Romania
At-home palliative care services are introduced in the Framework Contract, followed by inpatient care (in 2007)
HOSPICE Casa Speranţei is recognized as one of the five centres of excellence in palliative care across Eastern and Central Europe, according to a study conducted by the Sheffield University
The “Nicolae Edeleanu” Resource Centre for Hospice and palliative care is inaugurated
HOSPICE contributes decisively to law 39/2005 that improves patient access to pain management medication
The inauguration of home-care services for adults and children in Bucharest. The HOSPICE teams operated both at the patient’s home as well as in the Colţea hospital (adults) and the Marie Curie hospital (children)
Initiative to create a National Coalition of palliative care providers, bringing together in an informal structure NGOs, the public and the private systems
The first outpatient unit for palliative care in Romania is inaugurated in Bucharest
Partnership with the Ministry of Health and FABC (the Federation of Cancer Patient Associations) with the purpose of elaborating the first National Palliation Plan, as part of the National Cancer Program
Project to develop palliative care in rural areas, aiming to cover the need for palliative care in the Zărneşti and Făgăraş areas
Proposal to amend several normative acts pertaining to promoting palliation, among which is the establishment of personnel norms for palliative care services
Update of Standards and quality costs for palliative care in inpatient units, outpatient clinics and at the patients’ home; development of Clinical Protocols for palliative care; contribution to the development of a National Strategy for palliative care
HOSPICE develops the National Strategy for the Development of Palliative Care in Romania, on which the palliation component in the medical system reform program of the World Bank is later based
Construction works start for the first HOSPICE hospital in Bucharest
The Florescu family donates to the HOSPICE Casa Speranței foundation a domain in Adunaţii Copăceni, consisting of a heritage mansion and four other buildings, which later became the HOSPICE socio-medical centre for children in Adunaţii Copăceni
The HOSPICE hospital in Bucharest is inaugurated
HOSPICE becomes a founding member of the European Academy of Palliative Care alongside tree other European universities
HOSPICE experts participate in a working group set up by the Ministry of Health in order to develop an adequate regulation for the operation of palliative care services in Romania
HOSPICE experts contribute to developing the first evaluation report for palliative care needs in Romania
The official visit of His Royal Highness, Prince Charles of Great Britain at HOSPICE
The HOSPICE socio-medical centre in Adunaţii Copăceni is inaugurated
The first legal regulation of Palliative Care in Romania at the national level, regarding operation, organization, and authorization, to which HOSPICE experts participated
Developing and piloting an integrated palliative care curriculum for the medical oncology and radiotherapy residency (ONCOPALL CURRICULUM)
Kickstarting a partnership with the Ministry of Health and other Romanian institutions with the goal of developing palliative care services in Romania (the POCA—PALPLAN project)
In the context of the state of emergency declared during the COVID-19 pandemic, HOSPICE launches an important appeal to support palliative care services affected by the health and economic crisis (Cancer does not isolate)
HOSPICE Casa Speranţei is named “Hospital of the Year” at the Healthcare Awards
The HOSPICE Casa Speranței foundation receives public utility status
The President of Romania decorates the HOSPICE Casa Speranței foundation with the Order of Merit for the Promotion of Human Rights and Social Commitment in the rank of “Commander”
