THREE hospices in South Essex are almost £1million better off after being awarded a share of Government cash.

St Luke’s Hospice, in Basildon, Fair Havens Hospice, in Westcliff, and Little Havens Children’s Hospice, in Thundersley, have all received cash boosts from the Department of Health.

Norman Lamb, minister for care and support, announced on Wednesday, April 10 that 176 hospices are set to benefit from £60million of funding nationwide - just over £963,300 of that has been awarded to hospices in south Essex.

St Luke’s will receive £545,000 to make its vision for a new day therapy, assessment and support centre a reality.

The facilities will include a number of services such as physiotherapy and consultation, as well as an information and advice hub, which will be contained within a two-storey annex attached to the existing day hospice building.

Eileen Marshall, chief executive, explained building work could start within a year once planning permission is granted and the rest of the monies raised for the project.

She said: “This is welcome and exciting news.

“We were determined that people in Basildon and Thurrock should not miss out on this national opportunity for improved palliative care provision.

“We are delighted our hard work, foresight and innovative approach in applying for the grant has brought about a positive response from the Department of Health.”

St Luke’s has added £130,000 to the Department of Health grant, which has been collected in specifically designated legacies left in patient’s wills, meaning there is now £675,000 in the pot.

It now needs to raise an additional £100,000 to start the £775,000 extension.

Fair Havens has been awarded £110,446 to install a new environmental control system to give its patients more independence.

The sophisticated piece of equipment caters for each person’s individual needs on a wireless system and works through a set of sensors and devices, feeding information to a controller which can be fixed to a patient’s bed, wheelchair or wherever it’s needed.

It would allow a patient with advanced Motor Neurone’s Disease for example to carry out tasks either by simply blinking or blowing through a straw.

Catherine Wood, head of patient services, said: “The care at Fair Havens is all about giving a person their independence and dignity at what can be an extremely emotional and difficult time.

“This extra funding will be of huge benefit to the patients we care for now and will be integral to the care provided as part of a new hospice, as the new equipment will be transferable.”

Little Havens will receive a grant for £307,900 to create a new family entrance, that will include putting up a canopy to ensure privacy for patients and a revamped reception area.

Mrs Wood added: “Children in our care often need a lot of cumbersome equipment, including wheelchairs and oxygen machines and a delay in unloading because of bad weather is impractical. This is even more stressful in emergency situations.

“By adding a small extension and re-ordering the family reception, which is currently cramped, we’ll create a more suitable space for families as they arrive and for the reception team who welcome them.”