Hospices unite in expansion plans

Cornwall's two hospices have formally joined together as a single charity.

Mount Edgcumbe Hospice at St Austell and St Julia's at Hayle have worked together and shared staff for a number of years.

A single charity called Cornwall Hospice Care will take over the running of the hospices and fund raising.

It costs £4m a year to run the hospices and only 20% of that comes from the government. The rest is provided by a team of fund raisers.

The new charity, which is on course for a £1m overspend within a few years, plans new fund-raising initiatives, including its own lottery.

It also wants to expand services by looking after patients with other terminal illnesses and providing care in the home.