THE Bishop of Worcester has paid a visit to St Richard's Hospice to see first hand the "wonderful work" being done for the sick.

The Rt Rev Dr John Inge spent an afternoon visiting staff and patients at the hospice in Wildwood Drive in Worcester. In a special service he dedicated the new altar and votive candle stand in the Sacred Space at St Richard's.

Bishop John said: "Christians have always cared for the sick. The hospice movement is one of the greatest gifts that the Church gave to our society in the 20th century. I am delighted to be able to see, at first hand, the wonderful work that St Richard's Hospice undertakes."

The bishop was taken on a tour of the hospice, meeting staff including members of the chaplaincy team and some of the patients on the ward.

Rev David Knight, chaplain at St Richard's, said: "The bishop has a pastoral care role for the whole area and we are delighted that we were on his agenda for a visit so early in his ministry here."