BUILDERS are set to start major work on a £4.3m expansion of much-loved Sobell House Hospice.

The Headington hospice's new clinic and garden annex will start to become reality on Monday, when builders will arrive at its base on the Churchill Hospital site.

Sobell has announced hopes to open the new build in May 2019, and has released new images of how it will look.

The clinic will provide specialist outpatient services to people with terminal illness to help them remain living at home for longer.

The annex will be a six-patient ward designed with dementia in mind.

Clinical staff at Sobell worked with GBS Architects to develop the extension.

Building was set back from October due to unexpected administrative delays.

Diane Gardner, chief executive of Sobell House Hospice Charity, said: "More than two years ago we set our vision for the future of hospice care in Oxfordshire and the start of the construction marks a big milestone.

"The new space is a direct response to the increasing demand for end of life care which is being driven by an ageing population in the county.

"Every year around half a million people die in England and three quarters of these people would benefit from end of life or palliative care.

"This will help us to ensure Oxfordshire is a place where everyone has access to good end of life care, when they need it."

Palliative care consultant Mary Miller added: "Patients and their families who need the services of Sobell House deserve the best care we can provide.

"This new purpose-built facility will improve our ability to provide exceptional care and provide a valuable space to enable care for those who are nearing the end of their life."

The extension has been funded solely by supporters, through donations and legacies.

Sobell's clinical lead Tim Harrison said: "The nature of hospice care is changing.

"As medical techniques develop, people are living longer and we have seen a huge increase in patients with complex medical needs who require great skill and dedication from those who care for them.

"This pressure will only increase over the next generations and so it is vital that we create the right environment to look after them.

"Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we are now able to make the Sobell House building better-suited to meet the future needs for end of life care in Oxfordshire."