A GREAT step forward - that's the verdict on a new palliative care unit at Malton Hospital.

The service, which is based on the hospital's Fitzwilliam Ward, is named after Sandra Featherstone, who worked there for more than 15 years, and died in 2005.

The domestic assistant bequeathed money to Malton Hospital through its League of Friends - hence the name of the new Feathers Palliative Care Service.

The service - which will benefit patients across Ryedale - is supervised by Rebecca Burley and Sally Cliff, both lead nurses in palliative care, who will work alongside other colleagues on Fitzwilliam Ward to make it as effective as possible.

There are two single rooms, one twin room, and a relative or carer's room, dedicated specifically for patients receiving palliative care.

Palliative care is the treatment of any patient whose condition no longer responds to "curative" treatment. It also includes symptom relief and end-of-life care.

Ms Burley, palliative care clinical lead, said: "We are very excited by this new development - it's a great step forward. It allows us to be very flexible in our approach to palliative care.

"Patients may choose to come in for a while and then go home, or stay for as long as they need palliative treatment. It gives the patient more choice as to where they want to be when receiving care."

Karen Harrington, modern matron of Malton Hospital, said: "We are proud that this new unit bears the name of a member of staff who gave so many years service to this hospital, and we are delighted that it has been achieved through collaborative working with St Catherine's Hospice (in Scarborough)."

The medical lead is Dr David Longworth, of Derwent Surgery in Malton, support by Dr Miriam Johnson, a consultant in palliative care at the hospice.

Meanwhile, a decision on the future of the hospital's maternity unit is due in June.