Marie Curie will benefit from a £300,391 slice of Government funding to help improve its Bradford hospice.

The centre in Maudsley Street is one of the beneficiaries of the Government’s £60 million fund, which is being given to hospices to improve care environments and settings.

Elaine Hill, manager of the Bradford hospice, said: “We are delighted to receive the grant to enable us to improve facilities and make a more comfortable environment for the patients and visitors.

“The work will involve upgrading the inpatient rooms including the ensuite facilities to ensure patients can remain independent for as long as possible. The conservatory will have better heating and cooling systems to ensure maximum usage for patients and families”

A total of 176 hospices across England will benefit from the fund, which will be used to invest in creating new spaces for patients, their families and carers, while also supporting the care hospices provide to people in their own homes.

Announcing the successful projects at St Luke’s Hospice in Sheffield, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “Hospices help patients and their families at what can be the most difficult part of their life.

“This extra funding will help bring hospices up to date, so staff and volunteers can work in modern environments, helping them continue to provide wonderful support with compassion and kindness.”

Run in partnership with the charity Help the Hospices, the funding was made available to projects delivering improvements that benefit patients, have an impact on the physical environment and provide value for money.

This fund builds upon the £40 million scheme run in 2010-11, but will be available to all children’s as well as adults hospices. David Praill, chief executive of Help the Hospices, said: “Currently, too many people do not get the care they want or need and the numbers needing care continue to increase.

“Together, we face the challenge to ensure that people receive the best possible care at the end of life, irrespective of where they choose to be cared for, where they live or what condition they have. This funding will make a huge difference to the quality, dignity and compassion of the care provided.”

The funding is part of the Department of Health’s strategy to provide high quality care for all adults approaching the end of their life.