Builders have moved in to start work on the satellite Hospice on Anglesey. The Hospice will be developed by converting a redundant ward at Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley, Holyhead.
Local charity, St David’s Hospice are leading the project with the support of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to ensure that the people of Anglesey have equal access to palliative care services.
The internal layout and artist’s impression has been designed by TACP Architects and building work is now being carried out by RLD Construction.
The project, which is expected to take five months to complete, is completely independent of the NHS and will be funded and run by St David’s Hospice. All capital and running costs are to be raised by the charity totalling £950,000 and with some funding already secured, a fundraising appeal has been launched for the £475,000 needed to complete construction.
The new adult inpatient unit will offer respite and end of life care. Four bedrooms will be furnished with the best clinical equipment including; specialist beds and mattresses, hoists and recliner chairs to ensure that patients can remain as independent as possible, for as long as possible. Each bedroom will benefit from seafront or garden views with outdoor spaces through patio doors.
Chief Executive of St David’s Hospice, Trystan Pritchard said:
“This Hospice will provide the people of Anglesey and parts of Gwynedd with inpatient hospice care closer to their own home. This is vitally important for patients and families when they are at their most vulnerable.
We have been working closely with the Health Board to ensure we can put hospice beds on the island for the first time, allowing our care to be more accessible across North West Wales.
“Hospices make a huge contribution to their local communities and we are extremely grateful for the incredible level of support we receive from individuals, groups and businesses, which enables us to continue to care for local people when their needs are greatest.
“We have yet another huge fundraising task ahead and with the communities help, we hope to see the first patient using the new facility by February 2020.”
Ffion Johnstone, West Area Director for BCUHB, said:
“We are thrilled that work has started at Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley to develop a four bed Satellite Hospice Unit to serve the end of life needs of Anglesey and the wider community.
“The ‘Hospice in Hospital’ unit will be run independently by St David’s Hospice and will enhance choice at end of life for Anglesey patients who currently have to travel to Llandudno to access hospice inpatient care.”
