Artist’s impression of what St Wilfrid’s Hospice might look like is revealed
It comes as the charity this week submitted a planning application to build a modern new centre in Bosham.
It would cost at least £14m to complete.
St Wilfrid’s says its current home, in Donnington just south of Chichester, is no longer fit for purpose and is in urgent need of repair.
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Hide AdAngela Wormald, chairman of trustees, said: “The growing demand for our services is constrained by the limitations of an ageing building in urgent need of modernisation.
“At any one time our staff may be caring for up to 230 patients as well as providing support to their family and friends.
“This puts a huge pressure on the limited facilities we are working with on our current site and consequently the quality and levels of care we are striving to offer are under threat.”
For 30 years, St Wilfrid’s has been providing free and expert care to adults with life-shortening diseases, as well as their families. Since opening in 1987, it has cared for more than 14,000 patients and their families.
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Hide AdDemand has risen every year and the services St Wilfrid’s offers has expanded beyond recognition.
The charity’s trustees have explored all other options, but found that refurbishing the current building would cost £6m and only secure its future for a maximum of ten years. It would also mean undertaking the work while people were being cared for.
They have also looked at other sites, but have found that Walton Lane, where land has been purchased, ticked all the boxes.
Jacqui Bourne, lead nurse for inpatient services, said: “St Wilfrid’s is incredibly fortunate to have such a long-standing, experienced and skilled nursing team.
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Hide Ad“The clinical team is looking forward to using their extensive knowledge to deliver the same high-quality specialist care the hospice is known for, in the new St Wilfrid’s, supported by a building which enables them to better meet their patients’ needs.”
A planning application has been submitted this week and the charity hopes to hear a decision by September.