12:10pm Wednesday 9th September 2009
By James Wallin
AN extension to Prospect Hospice has been welcomed by local politicians.
The new £500,000 wing at the Wroughton hospice was officially unveiled by local MPs Anne Snelgrove and James Gray on Monday.
Four single en-suite bedrooms in the extension will help to provide dignity and privacy to patients, hospice staff say.
The money for the extension came from Department Of Health grants.
Prospect Hospice’s chief executive Vicki Morrey said: “We were delighted by the support we received at the opening.
“The official opening was done by Anne Snelgrove and James Gray.”
North Wiltshire Conservative MP James Gray said: “The Prospect Hospice provides a really wonderful service and I am only too pleased to support that.
“Its benefit is not just felt in Swindon but across North Wiltshire and a lot of my constituents have benefited from the care they provide.
“End of life care is an extremely sensitive and important thing to get right and it is very important that people are as comfortable as possible at such a difficult time.”
Mr Gray said he was pleased to be invited to view the new wing. He said: “I had a look around and I was very impressed with what I saw.”
South Swindon Labour MP Anne Snelgrove said: “I was delighted to be invited with James Gray to open the extension.
“I’m very pleased that they are now able to have this new facility. I know from personal experience that what people need at the end of their life is independence and this new extension will help give people independence and dignity.”
Representatives from Swindon Council, including Swindon Mayor Coun David Wren, also attended the opening ceremony.
He said: “Everyone in and around Swindon recognises the name Prospect. It is synonymous with healthcare and I am very pleased to support it.
“Whenever I have met the volunteers who work at Prospect I have been struck by their dedication. I was very pleased to see the new extension open.”
For more information about the hospice go to the website www.prospect-hospice.net.
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