A NEW Forest hospice is hoping to expand its range of care facilities with a £2.5million revamp.

After carrying out a major evaluation of its services last year, Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington wants to increase the variety and amount of care it provides to the community.

This would include increasing the number of residents it can accommodate by adding another four bedrooms to the existing in-patient building as well as building a two-storey education unit so the charity can expand its outreach programme, which will be able to accommodate up to 50 people.

Mike Denny, head of fundraising at the Hospice, said: "Oakhaven is proud of its reputation in the local community and of the high regard local people have for its work.

"We are dedicated to continuing to provide support to patients, carers and families who are facing complex physical, emotional and practical difficulties arising from advanced progressive life limiting illness.

"We strongly believe that this proposal would greatly enhance our services all of which are provided free at the point of delivery."

The Hospice, which was founded in 1989, currently provides an eight bed in-patient unit, which is run at full capacity.

And Oakhaven hopes that by expanding its facilities it will be able to meet the growing demands of palliative care provision for both malignant and non-malignant conditions.

Mike Denny added: "We have the funding for the building works, which will cost £2.5m, in place, and will be looking to raise the funds for the fixtures and fittings for the development over the next 18 months."