KIRKWOOD Hospice is to close its doors for a year to make way for a £3m revamp.

Plans were unveiled last night to give the 16-bed in-patient unit a major facelift to equip rooms for modern cancer care.

But it means patients will be relocated to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary while the work is ongoing as part of the hospice’s plan to continue running the service – using its own staff – from Ward 11.

Daycare facilities at the Dalton site are to continue as normal while the one-year refurbishment takes place.

The scheme – which starts in June this year – will include an extension to the existing 25-year-old building to make way for revamped ensuite rooms, family facilities and new communal areas away from the bedside.

Currently, only four individual bedrooms are available with no ensuite facilities.

The remaining beds are in bays.

Under the plan, nine ensuite single rooms – including overnight beds for families – will be created to offer more privacy and dignity for patients and their loved ones.

A new three-bed and a four-bed bay will also be included in the scheme as well as a separate bedroom for family members wishing to stay the night.

The total number of beds will remain at 16.

There will also be a large family kitchen and dining room, children’s play area, two assisted-bathrooms with whirlpool baths and quiet areas to give patients privacy when discussing their care needs

The improvements come after the hospice asked communities what they wanted to see.

Marie Peacock, hospice appeal manager, said: “With major advances in the early diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening illness, patients are getting younger and living longer post-diagnosis.

“As care becomes more long-term, patients have more complex needs and additional facilities and equipment are needed.

“The new unit will upgrade the facilities and environment for in-patients and their families while retaining the warm, homely, relaxed atmosphere of the hospice.

“It will also make it easier for staff to carry out their duties, ensuring that patients get the care and dignity they deserve.”

The plans were unveiled to hospice supporters at a special event held at the North Light Gallery in Armitage Bridge last night.

A special open day is being organised at the hospice on February 11, from 10am to 4pm.

The plans will be on display for the public to view and staff will be on hand to answer any questions.

A major fundraising drive – called the Capital Appeal – has also been launched to raise the £3m needed for the new unit, in addition to the hospice’s £3.6m annual running costs.

A variety of events are being organised including a day trip from Huddersfield to Edinburgh on the Orient Express Northern Belle in September and the opportunity to sponsor a brick in memory of loved ones in the hospice’s new remembrance path.

More details about the project are available by visiting the website

www.capitalappeal.org or contacting Marie Peacock on 01484 557911 or email: info@capitalappeal.org

Other changes include:

Installing piped oxygen and a suction system to make it available at every bed.

Ceiling tracking in every single room to move patients around more easily and comfortably.

Making the building more energy efficient to reduce running costs.

Upgrading the fire alarm and monitoring system.

Re-wiring the entire unit to provide adequate sockets for electric beds, mattresses and equipment.

Giving all rooms garden views for therapeutic purposes.