The journey from Marlborough to Wroughton may not seem much to a healthy person, but to a cancer patient it can be an ordeal. 

This is something that Prospect Hospice chief executive Angela Jordan has been keen to remedy and she believes the new outpatient centre at Savernake Hospital is an ideal solution. 

She said: “It might not seem like a long journey, but for some people having to travel to and from Wroughton on top of treatment is far too long a day and it’s important to be able to provide that care closer to home. 

“Patients are referred to us by their GP and, as long as they are known to us, anyone who would benefit from have access to services at Savernake would be welcomed.” 

The agreement with Great Western Hospital Found-ation Trust has been in the pipeline for the last year and the hospice plans to start restoration work on the eight-room suite by the start of April. 

Ms Jordan said: “We’re so pleased to be able to work in partnership with Great Western Hospital to extend the reach of our care. 

“I have regular meetings with Nerissa Vaughan, the chief executive of Great Western Hospital about how we can improve end-of-life care for people in the area and this was an idea I brought to the table about a year ago. 

“Sometimes these things take time to explore in order to investigate how we can best provide services. 

“Most of the work will just be refurbishment but there will be some restoration work to be done to bring it up to the standard that patients have come to expect in the hospice in Wroughton.” 

It is anticipated that it will cost £60,000 a year to run the unit and the hospice has provisions in place to provide this funding – but continued donations from members of the public will be welcomed. 

Ms Jordan said: “It’s vital that as many people as possible know about the work Prospect do in the community as possible. 

“What we have found in Swindon is that in order to serve local people we need local support, not just with fundraising but in getting people to volunteer their time. 

“The success of our shops in Marlborough and Pewsey has long shown the appreciation people there have for their local hospice. 

“I am confident that local people will respond very positively to the news that our care will be closer at hand and support our appeal towards this exciting new development.”

Plans for the new £200,000 outpatient centre will see an eight-room suite transformed into the outpatient centre including a courtyard, welcome room, day hospice group room, counselling room, small group room, medical outpatient room, therapy room, store and office.

The nurse specialist for Marlborough and the surrounding villages will operate from Savernake, along with therapists, family support workers, bereavement team, education team, nurses and volunteers visiting the site on various days.

Prospect president, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, said she is confident the appeal will be a success.

She said: “This new centre will bring Prospect’s experienced professional team closer to more patients and families coping with illness when time, convenience and comfort are so important. 

“I have seen for myself what a difference it has made to the care of those coming to the end of their lives. 

“I was delighted to hear of this ambitious plan, which will enable this remarkable hospice to extend its reach and ensure many more patients and families can find medical help and compassionate care when they need it most.” 

HOW TO DONATE

There are lots of ways you can help reach our £75,000 target to make the outpatient centre at Savernake Hospital a reality.

You can organise an event at a school, shop, office, pub or club or in your home. You might even want to do sponsored run or just bake some cakes in exchange for donations.

Tell us what you are doing and we’ll make sure we publicise it.
It doesn’t matter how large or small the event or donation, we want to hear about it. Every penny raised counts.

Contact Anna Mauremootoo on (01225) 773607 or email her at amauremootoo@newswilts.co.uk
You can also donate direct to Prospect at Prospect Savernake Appeal, Moormead Road, Wroughton, Swindon SN49BY.

You can also take along a donation in person to one of the Prospect shops in Marlborough, Pewsey or Hungerford.

You can also donate by calling Prospect on (01793) 816161 by clicking here.