Greendale House Palliative and Hospice Care has confirmed that its In-patient Unit in Houghton will move to a temporary location in Kensington next month while preparations continue for the construction of a new purpose built hospice facility in Upper Houghton.

The move follows the sale of the organisation’s long standing Houghton property, which has housed its in-patient services for several decades. That site is no longer part of our sustainability model as its upkeep was diverting resources away from patients. Proceeds from the sale were used to secure land for a new hospice in Upper Houghton, where a new facility designed specifically for modern palliative care will be built.

Construction of the new Greendale House is awaiting final planning approval from the City of Johannesburg. While this administrative process continues, the organisation must vacate its current premises. A fully equipped interim facility in Kensington has therefore been secured to ensure that in-patient care continues without interruption.

Greendale House will continue to admit patients, provide medical and nursing care, and support families throughout the transition period.

“Our work does not pause because buildings change,” said Jacqui Kaye, Chief Executive Officer of Greendale House. “Patients and families rely on us every day, and that will continue. The temporary move to Kensington is a practical step that allows us to keep operating while we wait for the green light to begin building our new hospice in Upper Houghton.”

The Kensington facility has been selected for its accessibility, clinical suitability and ability to support the same level of care currently provided at the Houghton In-patient Unit. All staff will transfer with the unit, and patients and families will receive the same clinical, counselling and psychosocial services as before.

Greendale House has been delivering hospice and palliative care in Johannesburg since 1979. Its services include in-patient care for people with complex symptoms or at the end of life, a large home based care programme, and counselling and bereavement support for families and children. Demand for these services continues to grow as the city’s population increases and more people live longer with serious illness.

The new hospice in Upper Houghton, already secured by the organisation, will provide private patient rooms, dedicated family and counselling spaces, and facilities designed for multi-disciplinary care and training. It will replace a site that has been repeatedly adapted since the 1980s and can no longer meet today’s clinical and operational needs.

Hiten Keshave, Chair of the Board, said the temporary relocation was part of a longer term strategy. “We took the decision to sell the old property because the future of hospice care in Johannesburg depends on a building designed for the future of care and support needed within our communities. The move to Kensington is a bridge between what we have outgrown and what we are building in Upper Houghton.”

Greendale House will share further updates as construction timelines are confirmed. In the meantime, patients, families, donors and partners can be assured that all services will continue throughout the transition.

For more information about the relocation or the capital campaign for the new hospice, please contact:

Jacqui Kaye – CEO – 011 483 9119

Anthony Manion – Fundraising & Events Manager – 011 483 9148

NOTE : Telephone numbers, website, email addresses and Bank Accounts remain the

 unchanged.

Frequently Asked Questions : Greendale House Relocation

• 1. Why is the Hospice moving? Our current lease has ended and a very high occupational rent is expected if we remain at the current address, which we cannot afford. A decision was taken to find a temporary site that is more affordable and to relocate for a period of 18 months. While the construction of our brand-new facility remains outside of our control and pending sign off of our building plans before construction is possible, we believe that an 18 month delay is anticipated. Moving to a temporary site allows us to continue providing care without interruption while the permanent building is finished.
• 2. When and where are we moving? IPU and Homecare teams are scheduled to move on the 30th January 2026 to 150 Langerman Drive, Kensington South, which is 5.9km away from our current Houghton site. Admin team of HR, Fundraising, Procurement and Bookkeeper will be moving into the Ash street property – 7 Ash street, Upper Houghton. Telephone numbers remain unchanged.
• 3. Are any services being cancelled? No. All of our core services—including home-based care, bereavement counselling, and Homecare support—will continue. The only exception is a brief 48-hour window where the In-Patient Unit (IPU) items will transported to facilitate the physical move of patient comforts and any medical equipment without interruptions. Note: Our phone numbers, email addresses, and website will stay exactly the same, as will our bank account
• 4. What happens to patients in the IPU during those 48 hours? We are managing the move with the utmost care. No new admissions will be taken for that 48-hour window. For existing patients, our clinical team will work individually with families to ensure a seamless transition to the temporary site or alternative care if necessary.
• 5. Is the new building still happening? Yes, absolutely. The project is still moving forward, just on a delayed timeline. We are committed to moving into our “forever home” as soon as we possibly can, given the delays by the City of Johannesburg in signing off on our building plans. This temporary site is a bridge to get us there.
• 6. Is the Hospice in financial trouble? Not at all. This move is a result of construction timelines and lease requirements, not a lack of funding. In fact, the continued support of our donors is what makes this transition possible.
• 7. How do I get to the temporary site? (For Patients/Visitors) The new site has an entrance to the IPU at 5 Grays street off Langerman Drive. Parking for 12 vehicles is available on site.  Public Transport of taxis and buses drive from Johannesburg town down Langerman Drive to drop commuters off in Langerman Drive. The temporary site is fully ADA/disability accessible, will be protected by our own Security Guards, and all facilities and requirements for staff and patients will be available.
• 8. Hiring of Equipment? Families will be able to continue hiring equipment from Greendale House, either from the new location or from the administration offices in 7 Ash street, Upper Houghton, where the HR, Fundraising, Procurement and Bookkeeper staff will be operating from.