ST HELENS and Knowsley Hospice is to get a bright new name later this month to mark its official opening - and its fresh title is to be given a royal seal of approval.

On Tuesday, May 18, Princess Alexandra will be paying a visit to the Portico Lane hospice where she will perform the opening ceremony and officially rename it the Willowbrook Hospice.

The decision to change the name came after the hospice's management council held consultations with the local community and it was felt that the current name gave the misconception that the hospice was publicly funded by the National Health Service.

In addition, the council feared that the name implied that residents from surrounding areas including Newton, Cronton, Halewood and Billinge might feel excluded as they did not immediately identify with either St Helens or Knowsley.

Lady Kirsty Pilkington, chair of the management council, said: "Each suggested name was carefully studied and checked to make sure there was no other hospice, nursing home or building association with the same name and finally, Willowbrook Hospice was chosen.

"Willow is consistent with the tree theme chosen by the nursing staff. It is a dignified tree associated with water so that it links well with brook. At one time, the land where the hospice stands was called Brook Meadow and the brook, which originally ran across this field, is now in a culvert on the edge of our land."

She added: "I hope people will approve of the name Willowbrook as it is a more comforting, peaceful and warmer name than the present one."

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