Fight to save Woolton Marie Curie hospice heads to London
A petition and open letter have been handed over to Marie Curie HQ
Last updated 10th Mar 2025
A petition and open letter has been handed in to Marie Curie HQ in London - calling for the charity to reopen the inpatient unit at their hospice in Woolton.
The 26-bed inpatient unit was closed last summer - and it's feared it may never reopen.
A protest was held outside the hospice last month, where around 200 doctors and nurses called for it to stay open.
The fight has gone to London today (10 March), where staff and supporters of the hospice have held a protest and handed over a petition signed by around 2,500 people.
Cllr Lucy Williams, Liverpool Councillor for Garston, said:
"Staff are worried. At first we thought it was a temporary measure, but as time has gone on, staff have become more and more concerned that it didn't look like it was being reopened.
"I think patients as well that potentially might need this service in the future are anxious and upset.
"We want some transparency"
"We want Marie Curie to see how seriously the community are taking this. We know that Marie Curie are considering several options but we don't know what those options are. The only thing that we've heard is that closure of the unit is a possibility. We want some transparency and an answer soon.
"This service is really needed and patients will suffer as a consequence. People are going to potentially end up in hospital unnecessarily or not be ale to have their last days in the place that they want."
A large demonstration is also planned outside Liverpool Town Hall tomorrow (11 March), prior to Marie Curie attending the Health and Social Security scrutiny meeting.
A spokesperson for Marie Curie North West said:
"We do not underestimate the impact that the uncertainty surrounding the future of the inpatient unit has had on bereaved families, those facing the end of life, staff, volunteers, and the local community, and we apologise for that.
"Marie Curie remains deeply committed to providing specialist palliative and end of life care and support to the people of Liverpool.
"We are working hard with NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB) and other NHS partners to resolve the immediate staffing and funding challenges.
"Together, we’re exploring how we might meet the need for inpatient beds in Liverpool as soon as possible.
"We are hugely grateful to our staff and volunteers who are working hard to maintain all our vital services for local people at this challenging time and we thank the local community for their passion and ongoing support."