New Hospice Centre 
Strategy and Objectives
The Hospice has grown since it started in Blaenau Gwent with one doctor and a nurse. The present offices have served the organisation well and we have been able to increase the number of rooms we occupy in the last two years. However, recent additions to the workforce and modern working practices have resulted in the existing accommodation reaching its capacity.
The Hospice has also been fortunate to hold its drop in clinics in local clubs and community/church premises which have served us well over the last few years. The Hospice now recognises that, with more rigorous standards expected of specialist palliative care services, it has to consider ways in which its care can be delivered to maximise quality for its patients and give better working conditions for its staff.
Objective 1 A facility for patients that is fit for purpose.
We must ensure that the building in which we deliver our services is well equipped, modern and fit for purpose, supporting staff in the delivery of care and providing the best environment for our patients. Accommodation should offer patients the best possible clinic facilities that are easily accessible from all over the borough. Communal space must be provided for patients to meet each other and at the same time participate in any group activities. Individual clinic rooms are also essential for dignity and confidentiality when patients meet with staff and therapists. The children’s bereavement service must also be provided for and a dedicated play room must be part of the accommodation.
Objective 2: A facility for staff that is fit for purposeWe must be able to provide staff with spacious, comfortable offices, training facilities and meeting rooms that are well equipped and resourced. Staff will need to draw on the best equipment and systems that will help in the delivery if care. Objective 3 A facility we can all get to easily.
We will need to locate the premises fairly centrally in the borough on a site that allows easy communication by road and public transport and is adjacent or near to the new Borough General Hospital. The Local Health Board commissions the Hospice as its community specialist palliative care provider and it is appropriate that we are able to link into the new hospital. It is, therefore, a sensible consideration to locate the building as close to the hospital as possible.
Objective 4 A facility that is carbon neutral.
The fourth objective is to construct and run these premises so that the operation is as carbon neutral as possible. This is a planning requirement following the tightening of Part L of the Building Regulations in England and Wales, and the implementation of the new European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) in 2006. Under these regulations, owners, operators and developers of all buildings in the UK will be required to address the energy efficiency of buildings.
(Note that the images on this page are computer generated from the current draft design concept created by the CEREA team)