A CHELTENHAM hospice is celebrating "fabulous news" after being granted more than £200,000.
Staff at Sue Ryder Care's Leckhampton Court Hospice, in Church Road, were delighted to be informed of the Department of Health grant, which they say will enable them to carry out a major revamp of their day care unit.
Among the planned improvements is an extension to the building to include new therapy rooms, and improved access to the hospice gardens.
Lorraine Dixon, palliative care services manager, said it would make a huge difference to improving the quality of life of patients.
She said: "This is fabulous news for the hospice and the people of Gloucestershire.
"The improved facilities will enable us to expand the high quality specialist palliative care we offer to support more patients and their families to be cared for in their own homes for as long as possible."
Leckhampton Court Hospice provides specialist palliative and end of life care services to people across the county.
Counselling
In addition to inpatient beds, it offers a day hospice programme for patients, an at home service, family support and bereavement counselling.
Lorraine added: "In the last 12 months the hospice has supported 500 inpatients.
"In addition to that approximately 100 new patients have benefitted from our 12-week day hospice programme, supporting patients to manage at home for as long as possible and avoiding unnecessary admissions to hospital."
The £202,707 cash windfall comes as part of a £60 million grant being allocated by the Department of Health.
A total of 176 UK hospices will benefit from the fund, which will be used to invest in creating new spaces for patients, their families and carers.
Sue Ryder, the charity which runs the Leckhampton hospice, received a total of £1.2 million, split between its hospices in Peterborough, Reading and Cheltenham.
Paul Woodward, Sue Ryder chief executive, said: "Hospice care provides a dignified and comfortable alternative for people to spend their final days.
"The nature of the care we provide means we are not only able to relieve pain and other distressing symptoms, but can also offer psychological, social and spiritual support for patients, families and carers.
"Improving quality of life is at the heart of all Sue Ryder's future service developments and as such the Department of Health grant will be used to develop our services to ensure that we continue to provide care that allows people to live well and remain as independent as possible."