Former Rosary Hall in Fredericton becoming a hospice

The conversion of a former nuns' residence in downtown Fredericton into the city's first hospice is nearly complete.

Rosary Hall was gutted about a year ago.

The renovations should be completed by the end of August or sometime in September, saysDarylBranscombe, the president of Hospice Fredericton.

He says $3.5 million has been spent to rebuild the residence to ensure it is up to code,as well as to change the ambiance of the residence.

"Itde-institutionalizesthe death and the dying and makes it a more home-like environment. I'm hoping that will be a big plus for a lot of people," saidBranscombe.

He adds the hospice will cost about $1.2 million per year to run, which will be about one-third the cost of providing similar services to stay in a hospital, thereby freeing up money for the health care system.

Branscombeexpects the hospice will receive 150 to 200 patients a year.

There will be 10 palliative care beds on the ground floor and another seven on the second floor for family members of patients in the hospice or the hospital.

Branscombesays the facilitywill lease office space to psychologists and other related professionals and it hopes to introduce an adult day program.