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Hospice development gets the go-ahead
Architects drawing of what the new Thorpe Hall Hospice building will look like.
CARE for the dying will take a leap forward in the city after Sue Ryder was given the green light to build an ambitious new hospice.
The charity will build a new centre in the grounds of Thorpe Hall Hospice, in Longthorpe, with the aim of bringing the best palliative care possible to Peterborough.
Staff behind the move are delighted with the result after lengthy talks with Peterborough City Council and English Heritage to thrash out a sympathetic design because it is a listed building.
Philip Ball, care centre manager at Thorpe Hall Hospice, said: “The proposal was submitted in September to Peterborough City Council and English Heritage and we are delighted that it has received full approval.
“The news comes two months earlier than expected. It’s been an exciting time for us recently, having just celebrated our 20th anniversary.
“The hospice can now look forward to a new state-of-the-art facility which will provide a much improved care environment and a wider range of services.
“The re-provision of our beloved Thorpe Hall is an essential development and will ensure that the people of the local community are provided with the care and support they need for at least the next 25 years.”
The new building in the grounds of the walled garden will be single storey and provide 20 state-of-the-art bedrooms, all of which will be en-suite.
The 17th century iconic hall has long served Sue Ryder but currently the hospice’s 20 bedrooms are split between two floors, which is not practical for the nurses.
The charity said it will continue to offer specialist care throughout the building, although no date or cost has yet been decided.
A charity spokeswoman said the exact costings and what is needed internally will be worked out in the coming weeks.
The new hospice was welcomed by Councillor Wayne Fitzgerald, cabinet member for adult social care.
He said: “I think most people recognise the great work that Sue Ryder does. It is long established and provides a great source of comfort for families.
“I have known people who have gone in there and it is exactly what they needed at the right time.
“It is a great and historic setting but as is so often with these ancient buildings they are not fit for purpose.
“This improvement will provide even better comfort for the patients who go in there.
“We are very lucky to have Thorpe Hall in the city.
“Anything that helps to give people peace and respect can only be a good thing. They do such a good job, it is a marvellous place.”
Currently the charity plans to keep the iconic hall itself, built by a friend and relative of Oliver Cromwell, to offer day care facilities in the historic surroundings.
It will also continue to be used for meetings, education, conferences and civil weddings on the ground floor with office space upstairs.
Sue Ryder said some of the changes will help “to reveal the glory of the rooms”.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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