THE FIRST patients have been welcomed into a new £1.4million extension at a city hospice.
The redevelopment of the In-patient Unit (IPU) at St Richard’s Hospice has seen four new bedrooms added which means up to 60 more patients can be cared for each year.
The Wildwood Drive site now has 13 single rooms and two double rooms which bosses say will increase privacy for patients and their families.
A second family sitting room, therapies room, nurses’ station, IPU Manager’s office, case conference room and a doctor’s room are all included in the extension.
Chief Executive Mark Jackson said: “The new extension has been carefully designed and is fresh, homely and light with plenty of space for patients and their visitors.
“It fits beautifully with the rest of the hospice and already fits in very well. It’s even more special we can open the extension in our 30th anniversary year.
“We know single rooms are more popular with patients and families and we believe our extra bed availability will help prevent inappropriate admissions to the NHS Acute or Community Hospitals.
“Many of our patients’ conditions are very complex and we can offer more compassionate, attentive and individual care in single rooms.”
The work was funded by a grant £510,000 from NHS England, money from trusts, gifts in wills, donations and hospice reserves.
Patricia Routledge CBE, one of the first visitors to be shown around the hospice, said: “There is a wonderful spirit in this place. I’ve met staff today I first met years ago, still here. That sense of loyalty and commitment is really wonderful.”
