A HOSPICE which helps patients in York can replace all its beds thanks to a £100,000 grant.

St Leonard’s Hospice will buy 20 new beds following the grant donation from The Patricia & Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust.

The state of the art beds cost about £5,000 each, and make it easier for people to get in and out of them and reduce the risk of falls.

Specialist mattresses also reduce the chance of getting pressure sores, and while they are made for a clinical setting, do not look clinical, which makes patients feel more at home.

Emma Johnson, chief executive of St Leonard’s Hospice said: "Replacing all of our beds is a huge expense so we are incredibly grateful.

"In order to continue delivering outstanding care, we need to make sure that we’ve got the best equipment. A bed may sound relatively simple, but it is one of the main sources of physical support and comfort. Many patients spend the vast majority of their time in bed so it is paramount that we do everything we can to make them as comfortable as possible. The new beds will allow for position adjustment, helping to prevent falls and general overall comfort – the importance of which cannot be overstated."

A statement from the trustees of the Patricia & Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust read: "We are delighted to be able to support the Hospice in this way. It was a unanimous decision from the trustees and, since visiting the Hospice, this has only reinforced our reasons for the donation. It was a very emotional decision which will facilitate patients' comfort for the years to come."