Cornwall Hospice completes its Mount Edgcumbe Hospice refurbishment

Cornwall Hospice completes its Mount Edgcumbe Hospice Capital Funding project, aspart of their wider Fit For The Future project. The redevelopment marks an important new chapter for the Cornish charity, with improved facilities at its Mount Edgcumbe Hospice. The major refurbishment designed to enhance patient care, privacy and comfort, creates a more welcoming and sustainable environment for families, staff and volunteers.

Among the most significant developments is a new two-bed assessment area for urgent palliative care, enabling patients to be assessed promptly before admission. The hospice has also introduced four new single occupancy rooms with private ensuites, replacing older ward spaces to provide greater dignity. A separate inpatient entrance has been created to improve the arrival experience for patients, while the former outpatients area has been transformed into a new Clinical Therapies Hub.

George Elworthy, Head of Hospice Services, who was the Project Lead for the works detailed how some of the additional changes will impact the hospice experience; “the new canopy and visitor entrance, upgraded entrance doors and windows, and improvements to the external areas have emphasised the calming feel of the hospice, all while also boosting our energy efficiency. Accessibility has also been strengthened through the addition of a fully accessible bathroom, alongside wider infrastructure improvements that support security and the delivery of modern care. Across the building, patient rooms have been refurbished so that beds face garden views wherever possible, reinforcing our focus on calm and wellbeing. We truly believe the changes will make things easier for our patients and their families when they come into our care.”

Whilst Fit For The Future has been a large and successful undertaking, Cornwall Hospice is constantly looking at ways to improve patient care and facilities. There are now plans to enhance the outdoor spaces at both St Julia’s and Mount Edgcumbe hospices, ensuring that the natural environment continues to play an important role in providing comfort. Together, these improvements create welcoming spaces that are better equipped to meet the needs of patients, families and staff now and in the years ahead.

The project has been funded through a combination of grants and donations as well as a contribution from the charity’s reserves. Will Hood, Finance Director at Cornwall Hospice explains; “We are very grateful to all the funders that made this project possible, their contributions have made a real difference, helping us to make every moment matter for our patients.

Due to the timing of the project, we were fortunate to receive a share of capital funding from the Department of Health and Social Care. We were also successful in raising a significant amount of funds from a number of private trust and grant making bodies, including The Bradbury Foundation Hong Kong, Duchy Health Charity, The Wolfson Foundation and Garfield Weston Foundation.”

This important step for Cornwall Hospice comes as the charity celebrates it’s 45th year. You can join them for their big celebration as they attempt to break the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for largest cream tea party on 19th September at the Royal Cornwall Showground. Visit their website www.cornwallhospice.org/jamfirst for more information.