Cash crisis-hit hospice to close

The hospice in Knowle is expected to close within months

A hospice in Bristol is being forced to close because of a fall in revenue during the recession, according to the charity that runs it.

St Peter's Hospice said it was closing one of its two sites after its income fell by £500,000.

The hospice, in the Knowle area of Bristol, has been open for 30 years and has 10 beds for the terminally ill.

A spokeswoman said the decision was "tremendously difficult" but reflected tough economic times for charities.

The organisation, which employs about 300 people, expects to make up to 20 redundancies - mainly in the catering and domestic sector.

Former nurse Shirley Channing, who has bone cancer and uses St Peter's, said it provided a lifeline.

ST PETER'S HOSPICE First opened in 1978 at Lawrence Hill clinic Moved to Knowle Hospice in 1980 with seven beds Knowle Day Hospice opened in 1984 Brentry Day Hospice opens on part-time basis in 1995 in a portable building Brentry Hospice becomes full-time operation in 1998

"Before I went there I did want to die, she said.

"Now I do want to live and they help you to live with it, they help you live with the disease and when the time comes they help you die with the disease."

The charity's hospice centre in Brentry, along with its charity shops, will remain open.

Former nurse Shirley Channing speaks about St Peter's Hospice

Sandie Foxall-Smith, hospice chief executive, said the decision had been taken to address long-term issues.

"We want to be there to deliver care for the whole of Bristol for the next 30 years," she said.

"By moving our in-patient beds and working from one site in Brentry we will make a saving of over £500,000 per year in our overall running costs, whilst still delivering the same level of care to the people of Bristol."

The hospice building, in Knowle, is 112 years old and the charity said it would need to spend £300,000 to refurbish it.