ST Richard’s Hospice has announced £1.4 million redevelopment plans to enable the charity to care for more patients.

The extension to the in-patient unit at Wildwood Drive, Worcester, would also mean St Richard’s can improve still further the experiences of patients and their families by offering greater privacy in single rooms.

The plans will see the charity, which was started in Droitwich Spa and cares for town residents, build four new bedrooms and change the configuration of existing rooms to give 13 single rooms and two double rooms. A second family sitting room, therapies room, satellite nurse station, IPU manager's office, case conference room and doctor’s room would also be constructed.

Chief executive Mark Jackson said: “Our feedback from patients and their families is always very positive but after a detailed survey we realised that changing to mainly single rooms will radically improve the privacy and dignity of a patient.

“The single bedrooms will enable us to care for more patients. The detailed audit carried out by the clinical staff suggests that we will be able to take up to 74 more admissions each year.”

“We have applied to the Department of Health for the maximum grant of £750,000 and are optimistic that we will receive good news in March. The remaining funds will be met from some unexpected and generous gifts in wills as well as from grant making trusts and hospice reserves.”

Building work is due to start in June with the bigger in-patient unit due to be caring for more patients by April 2014.

St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for patients living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and supports their families. Each year the hospice team supports over 2,300 patients and family members in Worcestershire.

For more information visit strichards.org.uk