The growing threat from the Coronavirus has forced Windsor and Maidenhead's much loved hospice to make major changes to its services.

Following the UK Government’s latest announcement about the threat from the virus the Thames Hospice in Windsor Road, Maidenhead has reduced visiting hours which are now from noon till 7pm.

Visitors will be restricted to two named people per family unless it is for patients at the end of life. All visitors must wear personal protection equipment, have their temperature checked and will be asked to do a Covid lateral flow test, as well as complete the track and trace form.

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The Day Therapy Suite is closed. But an advice line is available to patients and their carers 24-hours a day, call 01753 848925 to speak to a Clinical Nurse Specialist.

The Palliative Care Response Team (PCRT) continues to care for patients at home 24 hours a day. Patients and their carers can contact PCRT day and night on 01753 848925.

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The Café by the Lake at the hospice and all 22 of the hospice's High Street stores are closed until further notice. However, the Home Studio and furniture collection service are still operating. Contact the bookings line on 01753 866303.

The hospice is also accepting donations at the distribution centre at Unit 9/10, Reform Road, Maidenhead, Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm. To book a slot call 01753 847304 or email home-furniture@thameshospiceshops.org Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Debbie Raven, the hospice's chief executive, said: “These are incredibly challenging times for everyone but especially tough for families facing a terminal illness. The roll out of the coronavirus vaccination offers us hope and light and we will open everything up again as soon as we are able to, but for now our priority is the safety of our patients, their loved ones, our staff and volunteers."

She said the hospice had never needed community support as much as it did now - it relies on public donations to provide its services.