The care of cancer victims in south Essex has received a major boost thanks to a Lotto grant, it was announced today.

St Luke's Hospice has picked up £318,000 from the New Opportunities Fund, the biggest of the lottery's good cause distributors.

The cash will be used to set up a new hospice-at-home scheme, which can offer cancer patients a chance to receive care at home.

The two-year project, backed by the fund's £150million living with cancer programme, is to help sufferers in Basildon, Thurrock, Billericay and Wickford.

It will give patients the choice of being treated in the hospice or at home.

Jenni Newton, head of care services at the Nethermayne hospice, said: "It represents a significant step change in palliative care provision for people living across south-west Essex.

"It will also provide equity provision with south-east Essex, which already runs a hospice-at-home service."

The scheme will run hand-in-hand with the hospice's team of nurses to help ease the burden for carers and give patients a choice of being cared for at home.

Published Thursday October 24, 2002

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