ONCE upon a time it was the Hereford Union Workhouse, built in 1834.

When the name became unfashionable it changed to the Poor Law Block.

In 1940 it was absorbed as part of Hereford County Hospital and was to become widely known to thousands of patients throughout the county.

This week the building starts another phase in its life - this time with a new name and with the benefit of a £3.5 million major facelift.

More than half the money, £1.722 million, came from the Fred Bulmer Charitable Trust, a local benefactor responsible for putting a vast amount of money into the public domain to help the local population over the years.

In honour of the late Fred Bulmer, who left shares in his family's cider business so that money could mount up for the benefit of others, the building has been renamed the Fred Bulmer Building and it will be opened officially by one of his relatives, the Rev Gillian Maude at a special ceremony next Monday.

Dynamic

Before work started on the refurbishment in February last year the building housed the hospital's X-ray department, the CT scanner, the cardiology department, the hospital chapel and coffee shop.

Now it will be the base for a day hospital which will act as a dynamic assessment and rehabilitation centre where patients are offered a comprehensive treatment programme to help them in managing their own medical conditions.

With its specialist work it hopes to prevent the need for people to stay in hospital long-term by helping them to stay healthy and independent and remain in their own homes.

At the moment about 60 patients a week get help at the day hospital and they have a variety of medical conditions including strokes, Parkinson's disease, orthopaedic problems and those who have more than one condition.

As well as the day hospital the building has consulting and examination rooms, assessment units, sitting and quiet rooms and a resource centre. A courtyard adds to the soothing and pleasant environment.

The centre is predominantly nursing and therapy led and patients are referred from the County Hospital, Herefordshire Primary Care Trust and Herefordshire Council's social services.