A Suffolk hospice's in-patient ward is set to be reopened next month following a major refurbishment.Work to modernise the 12 bed facility at St Nicholas Hospice Care in Bury St Edmunds started in February following funding of more than £300,000 from the government and other agencies.

A Suffolk hospice's in-patient ward is set to be reopened next month following a major refurbishment.

Work to modernise the 12 bed facility at St Nicholas Hospice Care in Bury St Edmunds started in February following funding of more than £300,000 from the government and other agencies.

The charity, which cares for patients with life-threatening illnesses in the west Suffolk and Thetford areas, is set to formally unveil the renamed Sylvan Ward next week.

The hospice will be open for tours on Wednesday and will stage a garden fete on Saturday September 6, with the refurbished ward set to open to patients on September 11.

Officials from the charity say that the state-of-the-art ward at St Nicholas Hospice Care will help improve care for patients and their families.

All rooms have a view of the garden, air conditioning, individual flat screen TVs and wireless internet access. The floor has been replaced, new 'no touch' taps, redesigned bathrooms, special night lighting and improved storage for clinical materials have also been installed. Facilities have also been improved for family members to stay overnight, with ensuite facilities, TV, telephone and internet.

The hospice sees around 2,000 people every year by its in-patient ward, day hospice, community nurses, outpatient, family support and bereavement support services. The refurbishment project has received grants of £338.900 from the Department of Health, Wolfson Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation and the St Edmunds Trust.

Chief executive Barbara Gale said: “The vision underpinning St Nicholas Hospice Care is to help people and their families live with their illness. The ward provides a warm and welcoming environment; a safe place where we can help control pain and be alongside people during difficult times.”

Jackie Saunders, clinical services director, added: “We are absolutely delighted that Sylvan Ward will once again be fully functioning. Like any building project, the last five months have been challenging for patients, their families and the staff, as we continued to offer our in-patient service in a smaller ward and we now look forward enormously to being able to care for people in a modern, comfortable surroundings.”