UNLIKE many hospices run as part of the NHS or by national charities, Kemp Hospice has been an independent venture run almost entirely on voluntary contributions for more than two decades.

The launch of its ambitious project to provide in-patient care coincides with its 21st birthday.

A recent survey showed the general public's understanding of what services to the community a hospice provides were largely unknown or misunderstood.

Only 45 per cent of people questioned knew a hospice provides care in the home, only 10 per cent cited spiritual care, and only six per cent knew that a whole range of complementary therapies, including physiotherapy and osteopathy, were provided free.

Only five per cent were aware of the family support a hospice provides with resources such as a drop-in centre, leaflets and symptom advice.

Over half did not realise hospice care was free and only three per cent knew a hospice offers respite care to a patient to enable the family members to have a break from the 24-hour stress of having to care for a loved one at home.

Ninety-eight per cent thought hospices only cared for cancer patients, but the fact is that care is offered to anyone with a life-threatening illness including leukaemia, alzheimers, MS and motor neurone disease.

The new hospice will provide all these services free. The care will be tailored to patients' individual needs and families will be offered support at every stage of illness affecting their family member.