Cornwall's oldest hospice set for £1.1m upgrade

Cornwall's oldest hospice is set for a £1.1m upgrade designed to increase patient privacy and dignity, its bosses have said.

The redevelopment of Mount Edgcumbe Hospice will mark its 45th anniversary and include replacing bedded bays with single rooms, development of a therapy hub and a new entrance for patients, according to Cornwall Hospice Care (CHC).

The charity said the project had secured full funding through a combination of campaigns, individual donations and a government grant.

Works on the St Austell hospice is due to begin on 27 May and last until early 2026, CHC said.

Its chief executive Paul Brinsley said the upgrade would raise "the patient privacy and dignity standard" by replacing four-bed bays with single bedrooms.

He said there would be a therapies hub developed in the outpatients area and a new reception area for patients which would house a crisis intervention suite.

There would be some disruption to services "for a short period" in which "patients may be sent to St Julia's Hospice", he added.

CIC said Mount Edgcumbe was the first hospice established in Cornwall.

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