Councillor Diane Taylor recently made her first visit to St Michael’s Hospice since being made mayor of Basingstoke and Deane.

Along with her consort Dr Andy Taylor, the mayor was shown around the Aldermaston Road facility and the improvements that have been made to the In Patient Unit (IPU).

The IPU reception has been opened to be more welcoming and accessible for patients and there is now an internal corridor linking the unit to the Turner Center where patients and their families can receive complementary therapy treatments and a host of other family support services.

Cllr Taylor said: “Basingstoke is a great place to live, and the presence of a hospice of the high quality of St. Michael’s is a key contributor to that fact.

“The care and treatment given there is absolutely superb, thanks not only to the excellent staff but also to the army of volunteers who work in a variety of capacities.

“Our hospice is almost entirely funded by charitable donations, and I would encourage everyone – young and old – to do their bit to keep St. Michael’s going strong in our community.”

Iain Cameron, CEO of the hospice, added: “As a charity, we rely on the amazing hard work and generosity of the people of Basingstoke to raise the majority of the £5,000,000 required to keep the hospice open.”

As well as caring for over 500 local residents a year on the inpatient unit and through the community palliative care team, the hospice’s occupational therapists and physiotherapists assist many more local patients.

In association with Odiham Cottage Hospital, the Hospice’s befriending service also supports people in Hartley Wintney, Hook, Odiham and Old Basing.

For more information on the work of St Michael’s Hospice visit stmichaelshospice.org.uk