Hospice care 'safeguarded' after £3m improvements

A Shrewsbury-based hospice has said future care for its patients has been safeguarded, after the completion of a £3m construction project on one of its wards.

Severn Hospice's Perry Ward at its site in Bicton is set to reopen in June after the year-long project, which saw an extension of the building, enlarged patient rooms, a new roof and upgraded electrics.

The project was funded through allocating reserves, a public fundraising appeal, as well as a one-off government contribution. The Bradbury Foundation, Hong Kong, contributed towards the new extension.

Chief executive, Heather Tudor, said it had been the "single largest investment" on the ward since it was built more than 35 years ago.

"The result means we have future-proofed patient care for decades," she added.

As well as changes to the building's infrastructure, the appearance of the wards were also transformed.

The hospice said patient rooms had lost their "clinical" look, with each room including en-suite facilities and a smart TV and speaker. The rooms also open out onto the gardens.

Sofa beds are in patient rooms for visitors wanting to stay overnight, and there is a self-contained guest apartment for loved ones.

The new extension, the Bradbury Wing, has created "a brighter, larger, more welcoming space for families and patient visitors", it said.

A giant mural was also added, depicting the hospice gardens and the wildlife that visits them.

"Our vision was to create a home from home for people staying with us," said Tudor.

"Our ward patients are our most poorly patients and we want them to be cared for in a space that reflects our expert clinical and compassionate care.

"We know that it is all these small but meaningful touches that add up to make hospice care so special."

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