THE £5 million inpatient unit being built for St David’s Hospice Care in Newport, is set to be up and running in late spring.

Health secretary Vaughan Gething paid a visit to Malpas yesterday to see the ongoing work on Wales’ first independent inpatient hospice project of the 21st Century.

It is almost a year since his predecessor Mark Drakeford braved driving rain and wind at a turf-cutting ceremony for the unit.

And the sloping site behind the existing St David’s Hospice Care headquarters on Blackett Avenue, has since been transformed.

The 15-bed unit, which will replace the existing 10-bed unit at nearby St Anne’s, is being funded with the help of £3m from the Welsh Government and money from a series of other grant-making bodies, including the Big Lottery.

“The palliative care model developed by the team St David’s Hospice Care team is recognised as an example of first class care,” said Mr Gething, who was shown around the unit by chief executive Emma Saysell.

“When this new building is complete, they will be able to support more people who need their help at the end of their lives. It was great to meet the team and see how the work is progressing.”

The new unit will be run by St David’s Hospice Care, working in partnership with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Newport city council.

St David’s Hospice Care cares for more than 3,000 patients and their families every year, free of charge, operating 24/7 and covering Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, and mid- and south Powys.

Linked to the site’s existing day hospice by a corridor, the inpatient unit has each room leading onto a terraced area overlooking a garden to be used by patients and visitors.

It will also house a social hub, a multi-faith room, and a community café, and will have a 50-space car park.