First patients move into Les Bourgs Hospice

The 18-month redevelopment project was funded entirely through public fundraising

The first patients have moved into Les Bourgs Hospice as work on the £4m redevelopment of the site has been completed.

Two patients were moved into the St Andrew's site on Tuesday.

The charity's operations had moved to an unused ward at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital while the new buildings were built.

Mike Tanguy, chairman of the board of governors, said: "It's the culmination of a lot of hard work."

The 18-month project has created seven ground-floor single ensuite bedrooms, an overnight room for relatives, a lounge for family gatherings and a new day hospice.

It also includes an outpatient consulting room, a central nurses' station, an office and it has been made easier for patients to access the gardens.

The independent hospice was set up in 1990 and has annual running costs of about £750,000, which it raises entirely through public support.

It makes no charge for its services.

Mr Tanguy said: "It belongs to Guernsey, it's paid for by Guernsey and used by islanders and that's the marvellous part about it and I'm very proud to be associated with that."