A HAVEN for people recovering from major treatments is set to welcome more people through its doors.

Kemp Hospice's nurse manager, Helen Windridge, said it aimed to get patients back on their feet, frequently after enduring debilitating courses to combat life-threatening illnesses.

And the new £2.2 million purpose-built hospice, due to be completed in 2004, will offer "more services to more people".

"We're really just trying to help people who have been through lots of dramatic and aggressive treatments for cancer or whatever," said Ms Windridge.

"We try to help them cope, to raise their self-esteem and maintain their independence."

The hospice aims to allow people to stay at home for as long as possible to minimise time spent in hospital.

Occupational therapy - looking at how homes can be adapted to make life easier - is on offer and the day care centre provides a much-needed change of scene.

Up to 18 patients - six more than at present - will be accommodated in the new centre.

"It can be very consoling when you're ill if you meet people in a similar situation. Everybody's getting on with their lives," said Ms Windridge.

"We have people of all different ages. It works well and the trips and outings we do are popular. We're trying to keep people's lives as normal as possible."

Patients can take advantage of a range of complementary therapies, including aromatherapy and reflexology, but there is just one small room available at the present cramped site.

This also doubles as the only private area where patients can talk problems through.

"There are lots of things we haven't got here. The new site will have three interlinking therapy rooms. It will provide a much nicer environment."

The new hospice will also include a five-bed in-patient unit with specialist nursing care to allow patients to die with dignity.