A POOLE hospice is running a major nursing recruitment drive in response to an anticipated huge rise in demand for its 24-hour services due to be offered later this year.

Lewis-Manning Hospice, which provides care and support for people in the area with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses, has announced two recruitment open days on Thursday, from 2-6pm, and Saturday, from 10am-2pm.

Paul Tucker, communications officer at Lewis-Manning, said: “We expect the number of patients to double in the coming years, so we need to continue to expand our day services, as well as provide vital overnight care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

As well as looking for staff, volunteers of any age are needed to lend a hand for roles such as driving, fundraising, retail support, caring support and gardening at the Evening Hill site, at Crichel Mount Road.

Paul added: “2016 is going to be a very exciting, but challenging, year for the hospice as we open our bedrooms for 24/7 care. However, to be able to provide this much-needed service, we need more nurses to help us continue to provide the best possible care.”

Since opening its inpatient bedrooms in October 2014 on a phased basis, Lewis-Manning has given 2,100 hours of free respite care and the charity is now making preparations to increase its services.

Staff are aiming to provide round-the-clock rehabilitation and end-of-life care for members of the community.

The hospice achieved 100 per cent compliance following its latest Care Quality Commission inspection.

For more information contact HR staff by calling 01202 708470 or visit the website lewis-manning.co.uk.