Highland Hospice to undergo £7 million revamp
HIGHLAND Hospice is to carry out a £7 million revamp of its in-patient unit in Inverness.
The only facility serving adults with incurable life-limiting disease in the Highlands, it is an acknowledged resource of specialist palliative care expertise.
The charity is to embark on a fundraising drive and it will at least two years before any building work will start.
The current unit at Ness House comprises four single bedrooms and two shared bedrooms. While the service passed a recent inspection with flying colours in terms of the care and standards of cleanliness and organisation, inspectors had concerns over the size of the rooms.
The Hospice acknowledges that the bedrooms do not meet modern space standards and are committed to a refurbishment.
The hospice is to arrange necessary temporary facilities to continue its service during building work.
One option being considered is a temporary flit to the County Community Hospital in Invergordon.
A hospice spokesperson said the revamp will provide a modern, bright and airy new unit along with redesigned day hospice spaces, a quiet room and increased physiotherapy, occupational therapy and bereavement support facilities. There will be nine single rooms and one shared room as well as much-needed family accommodation.
The charity is also to continue to develop a so-called virtual Hospice which will allow patients in the more remote parts of the Highlands, to be cared for at home.
Funding is to come from a range of sources, including reserves, grants from charitable trusts, and a two year public fundraising campaign due to get underway in April 2014.
Chief executive Kenny Steele said: “This is an exciting time for everyone involved with Highland Hospice.
“Our base in Inverness has become renowned for providing specialist care but there is need to develop it to ensure that in future we continue to have premises which fully support us in meeting the needs our patients and all users of the vital services we provide.”