Plans for a £7m development for Highland Hospice have been unveiled.

Following numerous proposals, the plans will see bedroom numbers increase from four to nine, with one shared room, as the hospice seeks to increase choice and levels of privacy offered to both patients and their families.

Day hospice spaces are to be re-designed, with a quiet sanctuary room and increased physiotherapy, occupational therapy and bereavement support facilities factored into the plans.

It is thought the project will not get underway for another two years at least, while a fundraising campaign is to be launched in April 2014.

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Hospice managers are now seeking a temporary base and are considering Invergordon’s County Community Hospital, among others.

The in-patient unit currently consists of four single bedrooms and two shared bedrooms.

The hospice believes existing facilities will not be sufficient to meet patient standards in future.

A recent Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) report highlighted problems with the building.

Kenny Steele, Highland Hospice chief executive, told Highland News: "We have been celebrating our 25th anniversary throughout 2012, a very special milestone for us all, and this base in Inverness has become renowned for providing specialist care.

"However, in celebrating this anniversary, it highlights the age of the building and the need to develop to ensure that in future we continue to have premises which fully support us in meeting the needs our patients and all users of the vital services we provide.

"We are at a very early stage of this project and I am sure the next few years will be challenging, but we are all determined to ensure its success so our patients and their families have a physical environment which allows us to continue the high standard of care currently given by our dedicated team."

(IT)