A PEMBROKESHIRE palliative care centre will no longer provide overnight care due a lack of funds.

The Board of Trustees at Shalom House has agreed that from November 1 2013, Shalom House Palliative Care Unit in St David's will be open for day patients only.

The current 24/7 service is no longer sustainable due to the financial situation of the charity.

A spokesman from Shalom House said: "It is with great regret that the Board of Trustees has to announce these changes. In order to ensure that the very valuable day service is not compromised, we have taken this decision in order to ensure its continuation.

“The trustees, fundraisers and staff of Shalom House are committed to ensuring the future success of the unit for the benefit of the patients of Pembrokeshire and their relatives and, as a charity, we are very grateful for the support we receive from Welsh Government which will allow the day service to continue.”

He added: "The remainder of our funding comes solely from fundraising and donations, and we would like to offer an assurance that everyone involved will continue to work tirelessly to raise the necessary funding required to sustain and expand the service in the future.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported us in the past and to ask for the continued support of the people of Pembrokeshire in order to help to develop Shalom House as a valuable palliative care service for local people in the future.”

The news has come as a shock to Jill Douglas of Narberth, who worked as an A and E nurse at Withybush Hospital for more than 30 years.

Jill said: “My sister unfortunately is in need of Shalom House. She’s been battling breast cancer for the past five years.

“She was there for a weekend earlier this month after being discharged from ward 10 at Withybush Hospital.

“It’s just a lovely place to go to. It’s got the most wonderful ambience. Everybody is really welcoming, nothing is too much trouble, and they’ve got all the care facilities.

“My sister is so well cared for, all her needs are met and she’s happy to be there.”

She added: “The only other place for palliative hospice care is in Llanelli. My sister is worn out because she has to do a lot of travelling between appointments, which isn’t fair when you’re unwell.”

Jill is organising a ball at the Plas Hyfryd Hotel in Narberth on Friday, November 22 to raise funds for Shalom House.

Tickets cost £25 and are inclusive of a meal, live music and a fantastic prize auction.

If anyone would like to donate items for the auction, contact Jill on 07970 319968.