AN OXFORDSHIRE end-of-life care service has majorly expanded its facility to help people suffering from Covid-19 in response to the soon expected pandemic peak across the country.

Katharine House Hospice based in Banbury announced it has increased its ten bedded in-patient unit to a maximum total of 26 beds to accommodate local residents and help cope with the expected urgent need for more community beds in the county.

Katharine House chief executive Angharad Orchard explained: "As a local provider of specialist care, Katharine House Hospice is well-placed to quickly support the NHS by providing staffing and our facilities during this crisis.

"Over the last week we have been working with the NHS and funding commissioners to draw up plans in order to repurpose our hospice building.

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"This will enable us to significantly extend our service and accommodate the additional beds and equipment required to support the national coronavirus response."

Ms Orchard also reassured the community that the hospice would continue to support its current patients.

In addition, the chief executive promised that local people diagnosed with a life-limiting illness over the coming weeks would still be able to access Katharine House’s essential services.

Ms Orchard also assured: "During this crisis we have adapted our ways of working to ensure that our services are still there for patients and their families when they need us."

The Katharine House Response Centre has been fully operational since Thursday.