A HOSPICE in Abbey Wood has been handed nearly £1million to improve its facilities by the government.

The Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice was chosen as one of 176 hospices across the country by Norman Lamb, the minister for care and support, to receive the funding boost.

Out of all the hospices selected nationwide, the Bostall Hill-based hospice will receive the highest amount.

Hospice chief executive Kate Heaps said: “This dedicated capital funding will allow us to focus on some really important improvements for patients, including the refurbishment of our kitchen and courtyard garden, improvements in access to the Hospice building, a purpose-built rehabilitation gym and development of a community hub and care coordination centre.

“The changes will improve the working environment for our amazing team of staff and volunteers, helping them to achieve the high standard of patient care that our patients and their families and friends deserve."

Work at the hospice is likely to begin at the end of the year and will be completed in 2014.

The hospice cares for 2,500 people each year across Greenwich and Bexley, providing the majority of this care in people’s own homes.