Steve Brine has given his backing to Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's plans to create a new hospice for the city.
The health minister visited Royal Hampshire County Hospital to show his support for the campaign to convert Burrell House, which is on the site of the hospital, into Winchester Hospice.
More than £2.5 million is needed to create Winchester Hospice, which will have 10 inpatient beds and become a community hub for specialist palliative care services, with day therapies and outpatient facilities being run out of the newly converted space.
There is no hospice currently situated in the city, so Winchester Hospice will allow patients and their families to spend less time travelling to receive care or visit a loved one, and more time enjoying special moments together.
Mr Brine, who is MP for Winchester and Minister for Cancer said: "This project is genuinely exciting and badly needed in this area. Everyone you tell about the hospice gets it right away and cannot believe we don't have an adult hospice in Winchester already. Fundraising efforts have got off to a great start but we've got a long way to go so any, and all, help is really required."
Winchester Hospice will be operated by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which also runs Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and Andover War Memorial Hospital.
The Trust's fundraising manager for Winchester Hospice, Judith Charmer, added: "We need everyone to get behind us to raise those all-important funds so that work can begin to convert Burrell House into Winchester Hospice.
"With the help of the community, we can open the doors to the Winchester Hospice as soon as possible and be there to support our patients and their families, whenever they need us."
Pictured; Judith Charmer, Winchester Hospice fundraising manager, Steve Brine MP, Dr Lara Alloway, Hampshire Hospitals' director of medical services, and Dr Stephanie Killick, clinical lead for end of life care at Hampshire Hospitals, in what will be the new hospice
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To find out how to get involved with supporting Winchester Hospice, contact [email protected] or click here
