THE keys to the new £5.25m St Richard's Hospice were officially handed over by builders this week, heralding the future of specialist palliative care for Worcester-shire people living with cancer and other illnesses.

Accepting the ceremonial keys to the building on Wildwood Drive, Worcester, Jeannie Young, St Richard's chairman of governors, said: "It is an immensely significant moment for everyone who has been involved in the new hospice - those who have planned and built it and all those people who gave so generously to make sure it could happen.

"We are all so proud and feel privileged to have been part of a project that has moved the whole community to action and which will make a huge difference to the level of care we can offer patients and their families."

The new building will have specialist equipment fitted inside over the next two weeks and will be ready to welcome patients from Monday, October 9.

The new St Richard's will contain an in-patient unit for the first time, as well as all the current hospice services including a day hospice, home care team, counselling and bereavement support, social work, physiotherapy, complementary therapies, hospice at home, snowdrop group, chaplaincy, 24-hour telephone support helpline, younger persons support group, and the education, resource and information centre. All the services are free and last year St Richard's cared for 1,595 patients and families.

Rachel Bucknall, St Richard's Hospice care director, said: "The new in-patient unit is the first of its kind in South Worcestershire and mean patients will no longer have to travel long distances or be separated from loved ones. The new hospice has been beautifully and thoughtfully designed by Panton Sargent and we will now be able to offer patients dignified and specialist care for all aspects of their illness under one roof."

Nearly 700 people have worked on the site since Malvern-based Speller Met-calfe started building work in August last year, helping to put together 174,700 roof tiles, 72,000 facing bricks, 7,500 tons of aggregate and 1,600 tons of concrete.

Steve Speller said: "For us as builders there has been a genuine feeling that we have contributed towards achieving the long-term aims and ambitions of hospice staff and their many fund-raisers. St Richard's has been a very special project for the staff of Speller Metcalfe and we are very proud of our part."

Outside the building, pat-ients will be able to soak up the calming and peaceful atmosphere on terraces or around the small lake and wander along paths through the gardens, which are set against the backdrop of the Malvern Hills.

Fund-raisers are now generating the £2.8m that needs to be raised this year to provide specialist care and support for patients and families. For more informationcall the fund-raising depart-ment on 01905 763963.