Proposals for the new 15-bed hospice building on the Mill Gap Road site in Eastbourne go on show at the Arndale Centre today and tomorrow (Friday and Saturday).
After the two day exhibition, the plans will then move to the reception of the hospice in Mill Gap Road.
The £8.5 million investment will enable the cherished local charity to care for almost twice as many patients each year. The compassionate and skilled care that St Wilfrid's Hospice is renowned for will continue to be at the heart of the charity's invaluable work.
The new building has been designed by Eastbourne architects, Innerdale Hudson, to reflect the essence of the hospice philosophy, conveying hope within a calm, light and welcoming environment.
Chief executive Kara Bishop said, "We can currently care for 700 patients a year but by increasing the number of beds and expanding the Day Therapy Clinic we will have the capacity for 1,300 patients.
"This means that over the next five years our costs will increase by 22 per cent but we will have nearly doubled the amount of care we provide, making our service much more cost effective. We will be caring for more patients and ensuring the best use of our resources.
"The scheme is in the process of being submitted for planning consideration and we are taking this opportunity to keep our supporters up to date with progress. We hope they will be excited by the proposals for the new hospice."
All rooms will have en-suite facilities and private balconies with views of the sea or the South Downs. Trees will be planted along the façade for screening and privacy. A day therapy clinic comprising six individual treatment rooms, counselling rooms and group areas will be built on the ground floor.
There will also be a meeting room and library so the hospice can continue its work of training other professionals in the principles of hospice care. The Rapid Response Team, the team that supports end of life care in nursing homes, and the team of Hospice at Home nurses will still be based at the new hospice.
Ms Bishop added, "Many people have special memories associated with the current building. We are planning how we will commemorate the first 25 years of providing care before the building is closed."
Subject to planning approval, building work is expected to start in June next year and is anticipated to take 18 months to complete. During the building work, St Wilfrid's Hospice will continue to care for patients in their own homes with Hospice at Home nurses. The in-patient beds and day therapy clinic will be relocated for the duration of the building project. Hospice doctors and nurses will ensure that the quality of care is not disrupted during this time.
The £8.5 million development will be partly funded from carefully saved cash reserves but the 'Wilfie's Wishes' fundraising appeal has been launched to raise the £2 million shortfall. St Wilfrid's Hospice, which is a registered charity, receives only 15% of its £3.4 million running costs from the NHS and care is given completely free of charge.
For more information about St Wilfrid's Hospice, please call 01323 644500 or visit the website www.stwhospice.org