Denise Coates opens refurbished Dougie Mac Inpatient Unit after generous donation

Earlier this year the Denise Coates Foundation committed to fund the refurbishment of Dougie Mac’s Inpatient Unit, providing a generous gift of £950,100 to cover all of the associated expenditure.

Since receiving the grant Dougie Mac has undertaken the extensive refurbishment including the installation of portable nurse call alarms for every patient, state of the art fire protection systems, electrical and plumbing upgrades, piped oxygen to every bed, floors, skirting and walls that assure high standards of infection control, air conditioning throughout the unit and intruder/security alarms.

In addition patients and families can benefit from wet rooms, ensuite bathrooms, and direct access to a patio area overlooking the gardens, new socialising areas and kitchenettes.

It costs Dougie Mac in excess of £12 million a year to provide hospice services to over 3,500 patients and their loved ones. The gift from the Denise Coates Foundation means the support of local people, businesses, organisations and groups can continue to fund patient care.

In short, the gift has enabled the hospice to undertake the entire Inpatient Unit refurbishment programme, providing building and facility improvements that will raise the standard of the environment for those receiving end of life care and their loved ones; whilst at the same time not impacting on the funding of day-to-day operations which has enabled effective delivery of on-going patient care.

The hospice is hugely grateful for the significant support of the Denise Coates Foundation which since 2013 has provided £2.7m of funding.  This has strengthened the reach and positive effect of one of the region’s most loved charities for which the hospice is hugely grateful.

David Webster, Dougie Mac Chief Executive, commented:

“The Denise Coates Foundation plays a pivotal role in the community, not only supporting Dougie Mac, but also a number of other local organisations. We offer our deepest and sincerest thanks for the generosity displayed in this tremendous donation that has allowed Dougie Mac to embark on its next chapter.”

Denise Coates CBE, Denise Coates Foundation Trustee commented:

“The trustees are delighted that the Foundation could support Dougie Mac’s Inpatient Unit refurbishment programme.  The hospice provides a vital service to the people in the region with a life-limiting illness. 

“It is extremely important that those receiving end of life care are afforded the highest standards of comfort and dignity.  This investment will provide an environment that will enable Dougie Mac to provide the level of support that will do just that.”

Image Acknowledgement: Leanne Bagnall on behalf of Stoke-on-Trent Live