Windsor's Thames Hospice at Pine Lodge has closed its doors - as patients move to its new £22 million state of the art premises at Bray Lake near Maidenhead.

The big move began today, when eight patients were transferred to the new site - the remaining eight will follow on Wednesday.

The new site has room for 28 beds which means many forced to wait for a place before will be able to move in.

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Debbie Raven, Chief Executive Thames Hospice, said: “I spoke to one lady - the first to be moved. She was in tears and said how beautiful it was. She was really emotional and that's what this whole move has been about.

"Our nurses, ancillary staff, cleaners all worked over the weekend to get the new building ready.

"I looked at it Wednesday and thought 'we are never going to be ready'. But thanks to everyone who gave up their free time we are. There has been a real feeling of everyone pulling together."

Its size and space means that day services can also start again - having had to stop back in March because of the confined conditions at Pine Lodge.

A new dedicated Day Therapy Suite in the Paul Bevan Centre at the hospice provides an opportunity for patients to take part in a range of activities including arts and crafts, yoga and gardening.

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The Paul Bevan Centre is also home to the Hospice’s Rehabilitation Centre where physiotherapists will work with patients to create a tailored exercise plan to improve and maintain their strength, endurance and mobility.

The new facility was designed by KKE Architects with significant input from the hospice’s doctors and nurses.

Construction has taken 21 months and was led by construction company Andrew Scott.

The new hospice also has a dedicated space for patients and their loved ones to spend time together as well as a bedroom, overlooking a private courtyard, for families and friends to stay over.

The charity’s new café, Café by the Lake, is open to all visitors and the general public every day from 8am to 7pm.