FUNDRAISING is to move up a gear as a North-East hospice embarks on million pound plans to boost services for in-patients.
Niven Architects have submitted detailed drawings after securing planning permission for a ten-bed unit at St Teresa’s Hospice, Darlington.
Tenders will go out shortly on the building project, which is expected to take ten months to complete at the site on Woodlands Road.
The single storey building will be attached to the new Woodland Annexe forming a courtyard effect next to the main grade II listed building.
In-patients will be able to enjoy en-suite ground floor rooms that open onto a beautiful garden, with the emphasis placed on ambiance and comfort and with necessary medical equipment cleverly hidden away, including a piped oxygen supply.
Tracked ceiling hoists will allow patients with mobility issues the chance to transfer easily from bed to bathroom for showers and a bariatric room.
Under-floor heating, ventilation and controllable mood lighting will create the perfect ambience for individuals.
Families will be able to use a new visitor room and the existing six-bed unit in the old Woodlands building will be reconfigured providing overnight accommodation for relatives instead of them having to stay in patients’ rooms.
The listed building will also remain a day centre for a host of activities, bereavement support and counselling.
Niven Architects director Simon Crowe said: “We have a long association with the hospice which looked after the practice founder Rob Niven when he was poorly.
“The Woodlands is such an important house for Darlington with a rich heritage and provenance. The challenge for us as designers was coming up with something that complemented the grade II listed building but added contemporary appeal and functionality.”
Hospice chief executive Jane Bradshaw said in its day The Woodlands had been the hub of the community providing employment and opportunities for the people of Darlington.
As a hospice it was doing so once more with 70 people working there as nurses, health care assistants, support workers and administrators and countless volunteers as it provided first class care to Darlington and the surrounding area.
“The original building is great but it has always thrown up challenges largely to do with the idiosyncrasies of being old,” she said.
“The new unit will allow our fantastic staff and volunteers to provide one-to-one care to more people in a lovely, accessible and well equipped setting absolutely free.”
Hospice officials will be attempting to secure grants and are being supported with a business loan. They are also hoping the general public will, once again, respond with donations.
“The majority of our funding comes from the public which shows they have confidence in what we do here,” she said. “This allows us to respond to the needs of Darlington and the surrounding community.”
Donations can be made by calling into the hospice or on line at www.darlingtonhospice.org.uk by clicking the ‘give now’ button.
