AFTER years of fund-raising, the hard work paid off today when patients moved into the new St Richard's Hospice, Worcester.

The move heralded the start of a new era in specialist care for people in the south of the county with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

It has been just two weeks since the hospice accepted the keys to the new £5.25m state-of-the-art building in Wildwood Way, Spetchley. Specialist equipment has been fitted inside and staff have been busy turning the building into a homely haven.

Chief executive Mark Jackson said: "It's a fantastic moment, having all the staff, including many new faces, working together and ready to welcome our patients.

"There are now 100 full and part time staff working at the hospice supported by about 700 volunteers.

"We've taken on 24 new staff so far ranging from doctors, nurses and health care assistants to a chaplain, chef and facilities manager. It's a very busy time for everyone and there is an air of great excitement that we have this wonderful facility for the benefit of our patients and families."

The new St Richard's contains 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 people's support group, and the education and resource centre.

All the services are free. Last year, St Richard's cared for 1,595 patients and families.

Day hospice patients, who are having their first look inside the building today, will find contemporary but homely rooms for sitting, dining and creative therapies. The rooms have wood-burning stoves and large glass doors opening onto a patio, overlooking a small lake and gardens.

Staff will offer therapies including reflexology, aromatherapy, Indian head massage, hand and foot massage, relaxation and reiki. Patients can also have their hair cut in a special salon.

The first in-patients are expected into the new in-patient unit within days. The unit includes mainly single rooms, with one double room and three three-bedded rooms.

All have ensuite facilities and access to their own private patio area overlooking the gardens.

Fund-raisers are now hard at work generating the £2.8m that needs to be raised this year to provide the continuing specialist care and support for patients and families. To help call 01905 763963.