Woolton Marie Curie hospice unit to close permanently
That's despite a big campaign to try and reopen the beds
An inpatient unit at Liverpool’s Marie Curie Hospice is shutting for good.
Despite a battle by campaigners - the charity says it can’t reopen the beds in Woolton because there is no long-term NHS funding to support them.
The hospice on Speke Road has been running with reduced capacity since the pandemic – and paused admissions completely last summer.
Marie Curie says staffing and funding issues have made it impossible to keep the inpatient unit open.
Other services at the site, including outpatient care and a team that supports people in their own homes, is being retained.
Marie Curie Chief Executive, Matthew Reed, said:
"This has been an incredibly tough decision. We understand it will be difficult news for future patients, our staff and volunteers and the local community and we thank them for their support through a period of uncertainty.
"I would like to assure all those who need end of life or palliative care now that we continue to provide this through our Enhanced Hospice Care at Home service - which we seek to expand further - and our outpatient clinics through which we can support more people with the funds we have available. We will also continue to work closely with other hospices and hospitals in Liverpool when patients need inpatient care.
"Like our partners at the ICB, we believe everyone should have access to high quality palliative and end of life care and we remain totally committed to play a part in delivering this for the people of Liverpool, recognising that most end of life care is already provided outside hospice buildings.
"Both the ICB and Marie Curie face significant financial deficits; as a charity, we must ensure our finances are sustainable and our finite funds benefit as many people as possible.
"We remain fully committed to working with the ICB and our partners to find sustainable ways to provide for palliative and end of life care - including inpatient beds - in Liverpool.
"We need to reach a long-term solution with government and healthcare system partners as costs rise, and demand grows.
"Our priority right now is to support our staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to support patients and their loved ones. We also thank the people of Liverpool for their generous support."
Campaigners - who've been fighting to get the unit back open - say they'll keep pressure on to ensure people who need it get end of life care.