WIGAN and Leigh Hospice will be on the receiving end of a share of a £60m boost for local hospices around the UK.

In total, the Department of Health has awarded 176 grants to support a wide variety of projects, while Hindley’s hospice has been awarded £510,000.

The funds will be used to benefit a range of projects, including a new outreach facility in its grounds – housing its therapy and counselling services – as well as outpatient clinics and a base for its expanding community nursing team, including the new ‘hospice in your home’ service, to be launched later this year.

A further £1m is to be put in by the hospice itself, on top of the Government grant.

Dr Alan Baron, chief executive of Wigan and Leigh Hospice, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this grant, which will help us to better support more people with life-limiting conditions beyond the current 1,000 patients a year that we currently care for, as well as their friends and families.

“By launching our new hospice in your home service, we can support more patients and their families in the place they feel most comfortable.

“The new building will help us to realise this goal, but it will also provide modern state-of-the-art facilities with a beautiful outlook over local woodlands.”

A total of 31 north west hospices will benefit from £11,035,240 funding.

Announcing the funding, deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said: “Hospices help patients and their families at what can be the most difficult part of their life.

“This extra funding will help bring hospices up to date, so staff and volunteers can work in modern environments, helping them continue to provide wonderful support with compassion and kindness.”

The project is being run in partnership with the Help the Hospices charity.