LOROS Hospice is pleased to announce that it will be significantly developing its facilities next summer after being granted planning permission to extend its building.
The two Phase project will cost an estimated £6 million. Phase 1 will, first and foremost, see the size and quality of the Hospice’s Day Therapy and Outpatients facilities being improved, which will allow more than an additional 250 patients each year to visit on a regular
basis and enhance their experience.
Phase 2 will be the building of a state-of-the-art Professional Development Centre, which will ensure that LOROS continues to be a leading voice and positive influence in end of life care and education.
LOROS CEO John Knight said: “Like any progressive organisation LOROS needs to remain responsive to the changing needs of the community that it was established to serve.
“Under the plans, we will create more space and bespoke facilities for our day therapy and lymphoedema services.
“In our new Professional Development Centre we’ll pass on to health and social care professionals our expertise in end of life care, promoting excellence and improving the experience of patients, their families and carers outside of our Hospice.”
It is anticipated that Phase 1 of the project will take around one year to complete with work starting by early summer.
Phase 2, the new stand-alone Clinical Skills Centre, is estimated to take a further year to complete, making the total project time from now to completion, approximately 2.5 years.
Funding from the project will come from two large historic legacies, the sale of Manor Croft – the previous LOROS day care building, located in the city – and a recent generous donation, as well as funds that have been carefully reserved over time for this very exciting development.
Speaking about the project, Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “I’m delighted to hear LOROS is expanding.
“LOROS is a Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland initiative and has provided vital help to so many thousands of people over the years.
“In particular, it’s great that they are developing their day care because a lot of people tend to think patients go to LOROS just to stay overnight but in fact, the Hospice supports so many people out in the community, as well as those who go in and are supported during the day.
“I’m also happy to hear that the expansion means LOROS will be able to share the good work they do by developing the clinical skills training centre.”
Local residents were consulted prior to the planning application going in, and those that came to view plans and discuss the future developments have been incredibly supportive.
The senior management team at LOROS Hospice said they will be working hard to ensure there is as little disruption as possible to local residents and neighbours.
“I’m very proud of LOROS and I’m also very proud of how much the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland community continue to support the Hospice,” added Mr Soulsby.
Whilst funding for the initial build has been met, fundraising to equip the new buildings and deliver the many services from the new site continues and anyone interested in getting involved can contact LOROS by calling: (0116) 231 3771 or emailing info@loros.co.uk
