About our hospice

Our history

Katharine House Hospice was opened by HRH The Princess of Wales in October 1991. Read about the history of Katharine House and the changes that have happened over the years.

Katharine Gadsby was a bright, warm and intelligent young woman.

She loved the countryside, was a talented violin and piano player and was very loved by all her family and friends. Katharine was studying social psychology at the University of Wales when she tragically died of cancer aged just 20 years old.

Her death set her father, Neil, and friends on a six-year journey to raise enough funds to build a place that cares for people during their toughest times.

Katharine House Hospice is now an established and essential part of the community.

HRH The Princess of Wales officially opened Katharine House Hospice on 14 October 1991. Since then, the hospice has met the emotional, physical and medical needs of thousands of people affected by life-limiting illnesses.

A word from our founder

“Looking back 40 years, my first thought is one of deep satisfaction that we have been able to turn a desperate family tragedy into something positive and worthwhile for so many people in the community.

“The hospice has made a positive change to the care of nearly 18,000 people who have turned to Katharine House for support, and I pay tribute to the skilled and dedicated staff who have been involved over the decades. Indeed, I am reminded of the words of the American anthropologist Margaret Mead who said, ‘Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world.’

“I also have a sense of gratitude that so many members of the local community wanted the hospice to succeed and that they were stronger than the doubters and opponents. The result is a wonderful symbolic partnership that has lasted for four decades.”

Neil Gadsby MBE, Founder President

“The hospice is somewhere that instantly lifts the spirits. The building was designed to nestle gently into the landscape and somehow that sense of ‘being held’ transmitted itself as I walked through the building for the first time. When Katharine House cared for my father, he called it ‘the best place – the Rolls Royce of hospices.’” Lucy Cross, friend of Katharine and Katharine House Hospice volunteer

The birth and growth of Katharine House Hospice

January 1985 Charity formed
1985-1990 Friends and trustees led on fundraising to help build the hospice. As the hospice was being built, the first service of bereavement care began within the community.
December 1990 Katharine House Hospice building completed.
February 1991 First Day Hospice patient received.
October 1991 Hospice officially opened by HRH The Princess of Wales.

Newspaper cuttings of people at the Katharine House Hospice site, a group gathering indoors, and a newspaper article.

May 1992 First six inpatient beds opened.
July 1992 Hospice gardens created in memory of Simon Weatherby and designed by Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall, officially opened by Richard Baker.

Colourful garden at Katharine House Hospice with red, yellow and red tulips, purple flowers and green bushes under a partly cloudy sky.

Summer 1994 Took over the local Macmillan nurse service as the basis for our Katharine House Community Nurse specialist team.
Autumn 1994 Four additional inpatient beds opened – now totalling 10 beds.
1995 Specialist lymphoedema clinic established.
2000 Horton General Hospital support formalised.
2005 Bereavement support service extends outreach to children and teenagers.
2009 New Day Hospice building opened.

Newspaper cutting of the official opening of the new Day Hospice, featuring speeches and activities with patients, volunteers and staff.

2017 Community Nursing Service extended from five to seven days a week.
2019 New Living Well service launched.

A group of eight people standing outdoors, smiling at the camera.

April-June 2020: the hospice becomes a Covid response unit.
2020 Launch of Volunteer Companion Service.
April 2021 New partnership with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust to manage Katharine House clinical services.
May 2021: Angharad Orchard steps down as CEO of Katharine House and Trevor Johnson starts.
1 October 2021: the hospice celebrates its 30th anniversary.
May 2023: Emma Radley joins Katharine House as CEO, following departure of Trevor Johnson.

6 September 2023: Neil Gadsby was awarded an honorary doctorate for his commitment to palliative care services.

Neil received the accolade in front of family and friends almost 40 years since he first conceived of Katharine House.

The doctorate was awarded to him for his ‘exemplary and inspiring achievement as a beacon of compassion, empathy and unwavering determination as a voice for palliative and end of life care over 30 years’.

Hospice pioneer receives honorary doctorate banner

July-December 2025: ‘A community united’ campaign ran to celebrate Neil Gadsby’s 90th birthday and to gather memories of the hospice since its inception in 1985 on a memory wall. If you have any memories to share, it’s not too late to add them on the special dedication page. Just click on the button below.
We also made a video looking back at the history of the hospice, which you can also view below.

Share your hospice memories and read others