Family unit opens (From Penarth Times)

Family unit opens

THE Marie Curie Hospice Penarth has celebrated the opening of a brand new wing that will allow families to stay in comfort close to their loved ones.

The unit, funded by the Big Lottery Fund, will be furnished with beds, showers and a fully-functional kitchen to allow relatives to take a break from the bedside, but be close enough if they need to return quickly.

Vale swimmer David Davies, Olympic Bronze medallist, opened the family unit at Marie Curie Hospice on Friday, February 18.

The 325,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund made a huge difference to the support the hospice can offer to families of patients in their care.

Viv Cooper, Regional Caring Services Manager for Wales, said: "It is important that relatives are able to get a break from the bedside and the new unit offers a place to do this, as well as an opportunity to get support from other relatives.

"Now, rather than sleeping in a chair by the patient's bed, relatives can rest, wash and cook in their own unit.

"They are content to leave the bedside because they know that if needed they can be back in minutes, as the unit is close by."

Tom Davies, Wales Board member for The Big Lottery Fund said: "The improvements at Marie Curie Cancer Care will improve the lives of people across the Vale."

For 46 years Marie Curie Hospice Penarth has actively promoted quality of life for people with cancer and provided support for their families completely free of charge.

The Family Unit illustrates how it continues to be at the forefront of care for local people affected by cancer.

Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Emlyn Williams has been behind the work undertaken by staff in Holme Tower since his first term as Mayor in 1979/1980.

He said: "It's been an honour to support the hospice.