RHP was appointed as architects for the new facility in 2009. Work was completed in August 2013 with patients moving across from the old hospice last November. The new 20 bed hospice has garnered a considerable amount of recognition and praise for its ground breaking look and feel, a key aspect to a new approach in end of life care.
As David Dimbleby, one of St Wilfrid’s new patrons said, ‘The great thing about here is that it connects – people feel part of what’s going on’. He continued, ‘(in the past) the word cancer wasn’t used – the Big C. Now people talk about it. The thing is to make it part of our lives and part of living and I think that is what this place achieves.’ A patient added, ‘It’s a fantastic place... it’s not the type of place you don’t want to come to’.
St Wilfrid’s Hospice has recently been awarded ‘Regional Finalist’ by the Civic Trust Awards for a ‘very high quality finish achieved throughout the scheme both internally and externally’.
Help the Hospices – the UK’s champions of hospice care - has recognised St Wilfrid’s as ‘the shape of future hospice care’ and will be running a master class there later in the year about the future of hospice buildings.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-26751544
