A MAJOR £500,000 project to transform patient bedrooms at Barnsley Hospice is underway following an appeal to raise money.
The refurbishment will see all ten inpatient bedrooms upgraded to a luxury standard, helping patients with life-limiting illnesses such as cancer and heart disease, and those close to them, feel comfortable and relaxed during their stay.
Specialist beds, furniture and décor will create a peaceful and homely atmosphere, and new doors and windows with integral blinds will allow nurses to deliver the best possible standards of patient care. New en-suite wet rooms, air conditioning and flooring will create a comfortable environment and there will be a designated overnight stay room for family members.
The Comfort and Care campaign was launched by Stephanie Hirst last November to help raise £200,000. Grants from charitable trusts and donations from Barnsley people were added to a £300,000 funding injection from the Morrisons Foundation, a charity set up by the supermarket.
The cause is special to Stephanie as her mother Joyce spent two weeks at the hospice before her death, from pancreatic cancer, in 2013.
The refurbishment is expected to take six months. Barnsley-based building contractors CD Potter and Sons has been appointed to carry out the work, which will take place over four phases to allow inpatient unit services to continue.
Mary Brown, 65, of Broom Close in Kendray, has lung cancer and has been staying at the hospice for the last five weeks for symptom management. She said: “I can’t wait to see what the rooms will look like when they are all done. I think it’s marvellous now, but it will make a big difference.
“The care here has been unbelievable and I’ve even been able to have my dog visit a few times. I’m being looked after 24/7 and am now strong enough hopefully to return home next week.”
The Mayor Coun Steve Green marked the start of the refurbishment work on Wednesday when he visited the hospice as part of Hospice Care Week.
He and Mayoress Tracey Green spent time with staff, volunteers, patients and family members.
He said: “The inpatient rooms will look fantastic when it’s all complete and I really enjoyed my visit. It’s such a happy place, with so many smiling faces. There has been massive support of the Comfort and Care campaign from the Barnsley community which is great because no matter who we are, we can all relate to the hospice.”
Jan Walker, patient services director at Barnsley Hospice, said: “These refurbishments are going to make a huge difference to the people we care for, helping them feel more relaxed and comfortable in what we are hoping will be a real ‘home from home’ environment.
“This wouldn’t be possible without the incredible fundraising efforts of the Barnsley community and we are all so grateful for their support of the Comfort and Care Campaign.”
This is the first time the bedrooms have been fully refurbished since the inpatient unit opened in 2001.
Sam Burden, Morrisons Foundation specialist, said: “We support charities which make a positive difference in local communities and we know that Barnsley Hospice does just that. We’re delighted to have supported this refurbishment project, which will make a real difference to patients and their families during difficult times.”
Steph Hirst said: “It is wonderful to hear work has commenced on the refurbishment.
“It has been wonderful that the people of Barnsley have got behind the Comfort and Care campaign. They have massively supported the campaign which will now help to make patients’ stays more comfortable. This can only add to the incredible and selfless work that staff do.”
