DAY hospice services have moved to Malton Community Hospital after four years at Deansfield Court in Norton.

The relocation by Saint Catherine’s Hospice gives the day hospice greater opportunity to work in partnership with community healthcare professional-covering the area.

The service runs each Monday from 10am to 3pm and provides a range of facilities and services for patients, without them having to travel far and about 250 patients a year use it each year.

Services include medical support, pain and symptom management and control, complementary therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and meals.

The Wilfred Jackson Trust, which was set up last year following the death of local builder and property developer Wilfred Jackson with the aim of giving help and assistance to families and individuals in and around the area, has made a donation to help pay for equipment and running costs at the new site. The Malton, Norton & District Hospital League of Friends has also made a donation towards equipment costs.

Mike Proctor, deputy chief executive of York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust , which manages Malton Hospital, said: “It is great to see the introduction of this service at Malton Hospital. It is important that the hospital is used to its full potential and we are pleased to be able to work with Saint Catherine’s Hospice to provide this facility for the benefit of people in Ryedale”