Hospices get £3m upgrade money

Hospices help care for people at the end of their lives

More than £3m is being allocated to upgrade hospices across the north east of England.

The Department of Health cash will be used to improve facilities for patients with terminal illnesses and facing the end of their lives.

Patient and public areas will also be redecorated and day care and inpatient facilities extended and enhanced.

The funding comes as part of the Department of Health's Dignity in Care for Older People programme.

Hospices to benefit include St Oswald's in Newcastle, St Cuthbert's in County Durham, North Northumberland Hospice, Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland and Stockton, Hartlepool and District Hospice.

Health services minister, Rosie Winterton, said: "I am delighted that so many excellent schemes have been rewarded with the funding that they clearly deserve.

"Every patient has the right to be cared for in the best facilities possible.

"This investment in improving the services and care in hospices will directly benefit these very ill patients and as a result will have a positive effect on their families and friends at what is a very stressful time for everybody."