A HOSPICE could be set for a move away from its home of more than 30 years.

St Helena Hospice, which is based in Highwoods, Colchester, is asking for views from staff and volunteers on its future.

One of the options which has been put forward would see the hospice closing its Myland Hall site, which was opened in 1985 by the Queen Mother, and moving to a new site between Colchester and Tendring.

It is unclear whether the hospice’s Tendring Centre, in Jackson Road, Clacton would be affected by the plans.

Hospice bosses say the option is in response to a rising need and a rising population in north east Essex and because patients in Tendring find it harder than patients in Colchester to access the hospice’s inpatient beds.

As a result, bosses say potential patients are dying while on the waiting list to get into the Myland Hall unit, which has a maximum of 15 beds.

Another proposal which has been put forward is to increase the number of patients who receive care and support in their homes.

The exact details of that plan have not been revealed.

In a consultation document sent to about 300 staff and 1,200 volunteers, it states: “As the hospice looks ahead at what patient and family care looks like over the next five to ten years, there are a number of options to be considered.

“One of the significant issues is the need for more hospice beds to enable people to receive care in their preferred place.

“Alongside this there are issues with people dying on the waiting list for a hospice bed and patients being less able to access a hospice bed if they live in the Tendring area compared to those in the Colchester area.

“One option to address these issues would be to build a new hospice with a significant increase in the number of beds available.

“Clearly there are many considerations, including if a new site replaces our existing sites.

“We already know we cannot fit any more beds onto the Myland Hall site.”

The public are also being asked for their views on the proposals.

Two drop-in sessions will be held on Monday, December 19, between 2pm and 7pm and Tuesday, December 20, between 1pm and 7pm.

Both sessions will be held at the hospice’s Phoenix Square offices, in Wyncolls Road, Colchester.

A hospice spokesman said no decision had been taken and staff’s, volunteers’ and the public’s views will be taken into account before a final decision is made next year.

In 2015/16, St Helena Hospice supported a total of 4,020 people, including patients, their families and their friends.