Hospices in Yorkshire get £5m to improve patient care

The cash will include refurbishment of day care units, in-patient units and therapy centres as part of key plans to improve end-of-life care in the region.

The biggest award of 555,000 will go to the Sue Ryder Care Manorlands Hospice in Keighley for refurbishment to the in-

patient unit.

A further 550,00 will go to the Dove House Hospice in Hull for work on a therapy centre.

Other cash has gone to hospices in Barnsley, Huddersfield, Scunthorpe, Wetherby, Halifax, Rotherham, Grimsby, Scarborough, Leeds, York, Harrogate and Wakefield.

Fiona Hicks, who is the senior clinical lead for end-of-life care for the regional health authority, said: "This is fantastic news.

"We welcome any investment which will improve care for patients, particularly at this time, when charities are finding it more difficult to raise funds.

"Comfortable surroundings are vital for people who are living with terminal illnesses or are reaching the end of their life."

Cath Miller, director of nursing at St Gemma's Hospice in Moortown, Leeds, said its award of 396,000 was a significant contribution towards the 700,000 refurbishment of its inpatient bedrooms.

Samantha Cheverton, hospice manager at Sue Ryder Care Wheatfields Hospice in Headingley, Leeds, said the award of 486,000 would help it improve services offered through its day-therapy unit who wanted to remain at home during their final illness.