Phyllis Tuckwell’s plans to build a new hospice on its existing site in Farnham are progressing well, with planning permission having been granted in April, and staff moving off-site from August.
Demolition of the existing building is planned to take place this November/December, and building work will start from January 2024, with the charity aiming to move into the new Hospice two years later, by January 2026.
Phyllis Tuckwell will be holding a farewell afternoon to say goodbye to its old Hospice building on Thursday 31st August.
“The number of people needing our expert supportive and end of life care is already high and, due to our ageing and growing population, is set to increase substantially,” said Sarah Church, Chief Executive at Phyllis Tuckwell. “By 2040, deaths in our community will have risen by 25%, and the number of people needing palliative care will have doubled by 2060. Our existing building has served us well, yet much of it was built over 90 years ago. It is dated, poorly laid out and costly to run. The new Hospice will transform the way in which we work, helping us to care for 3,000 people a year by 2040.”
The new Hospice will include 18 ensuite inpatient rooms, a new wellbeing suite, an education suite, a café, family rooms, an exercise suite, and a raft of new clinical and consulting rooms, and will be surrounded by beautiful, landscaped gardens.
Phyllis Tuckwell will continue to offer its specialist services throughout the period of the build, from alternative locations, ensuring that it is still able to care for its patients and their families. Its In-Patient Unit services will be temporarily relocated to a new 10-room wing at Kings Lodge care home in Camberley, recently fitted out by the owner to suit Phyllis Tuckwell’s needs. Much of its community support will be able to continue without any change, managed by its community teams working from its existing Beacon Centre site in Guildford and a new office facility at Headway House in Farnham town centre, where its support staff will also be located for the duration of the build. Outpatient appointments and Living Well sessions will continue to run at the Beacon Centre.
“Although we are excited by the new project and greatly looking forward to seeing it progress, we will be very sad to say goodbye to our old building, which is much-loved and holds many special memories,” continues Sarah. “We know that many people have an emotional attachment to it, and so will be holding a farewell afternoon to say a proper goodbye. Anyone who would like to join us would be very warmly welcome.”
Phyllis Tuckwell’s farewell afternoon will take place on Thursday 31st August between 2-5pm at the Hospice, and anyone who would like to attend is welcome to drop by for a cup of tea and a private moment in the Hospice garden. There is no need to book – just drop in.
Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice is situated on the corner of Waverley Lane and Menin Way, Farnham, GU9 8BL, and is fully wheelchair accessible.
For more information on the new Hospice, please visit www.pth.org.uk/new-build-home