Hospice development changes the face of end-of-life care

Published: 9-Oct-2017

‘The new unit is gorgeous; it is more like a hotel than a hospice’, say patients and their families

Niven Architects has recently completed a state-of-the-art inpatient palliative care unit for St Teresa’s Hospice in Darlington.

Situated adjacent to the existing Grade 2 listed Georgian Hospice building in the West End Conservation Area; the development accommodates 10 patients in rooms at ground-floor level.

Designed to have minimal impact on its surroundings and to protect the privacy of the adjacent domestic properties; the building departs from the traditional clinical appearance.

Instead, it is characterised by bespoke design and finishes to all the rooms as well as providing patients and their families - at a very-difficult time - with private entrances and access to individual patio areas from which to enjoy the beautiful gardens.

The unit was highly commended in the recent RICS Awards.

Jane Bradshaw, the hospices’ chief executive, said: “The new wing is somewhere people actually do not mind being admitted to – as ‘un-hospital-like’ as possible, but with excellent clinical facilities.

“The fully-accessible new build has meant our occupancy increased in the first month to 92% - the prospects for the future are wonderful.”

The building accommodates 10 patients in ground-floor bedrooms

The building accommodates 10 patients in ground-floor bedrooms

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