Our History
Heart of Kent Hospice opened its doors in 1991 thanks to people from this community who were resolute in their determination to make expert, compassionate care available for terminally ill people. We are a charity, dependent on our local community to keep the Hospice doors open and the lights on.
Heart of Kent exists today thanks to the people of this community who understood the need for a Hospice and cared enough to give to the original ‘Wishing Well Appeal’. They enabled the Hospice to be built and to open its doors in 1991.
The Hospice was officially opened by HRH Diana, Princess of Wales in 1992.
A small band of local people were instrumental in driving the project forward and making the Hospice happen. We all have them to thank for their extraordinary vision and dedication.
We also pay tribute our founding Patron, the late Marianna, Lady Monckton of Brenchley. We are forever grateful for her energy, kindness and wise counsel which spanned more than three decades.
Princess Diana and Lady Monkton at the official opening of Heart of Kent Hospice in 1992. Picture: Barry Duffield
In 2017, following an unscheduled inspection, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) gave the Hospice an overall rating of Outstanding which we continue to hold today.
Since the Hospice opened, more than 60,000 people and their families have received the help they needed when they faced the challenges of terminal illness.
We are currently caring for over 1,000 patients and their families which is more than ever before in our history.
Within a few years, there will be many more older people living in this area and we must be able to respond to the inevitable increase in demand for palliative and end-of-life care services.
A new chapter in your Hospice’s story is about to begin. We are delighted to share that with the generous support of a local landowner we are now in the very early stages of the planning process to relocate Heart of Kent Hospice from our current Aylesford site to a purpose-built centre within our catchment area.
Our future Hospice