New palliative care ward opens six months on from hospice beds closure

Marie Curie confirmed it would offer a temporary service until October 31 after its Woolton inpatient unit closed

A new temporary palliative care ward is to be established at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital six months on from the confirmation of the closure of one of only two permanent locations in the city. Marie Curie North West has announced it will second more than a dozen staff to operate at the specialist hospital for inpatient care.

It is expected the ward will operate until October 31. It was announced last July the charity would close down its inpatient unit at its site in Woolton.

The hospice, based on Speke Road, housed a 26-bed inpatient unit where people with terminal illnesses are supported and cared for in their final weeks and days as well as community services and day services. Staff from the location are now expected to split their time between Woolton, community roles and at the hospital ward.

The charity said its board of trustees took the “difficult decision to permanently close the unit” after the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB), which plans and buys NHS services for the Liverpool region, confirmed it could not provide sustainable, long-term funding above existing arrangements last July.

Matthew Reed, Marie Curie chief executive, said all those who need end of life or palliative care now that the charity provides through its Enhanced Hospice Care at Home service – which it will seek to expand further – and outpatient clinics through which it can support more people with the funds it has available.

Marie Curie confirmed on Monday a total of 15 staff would support delivery of care on the new ward at Broadgreen.

These work across a range of roles and disciplines including medical, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and social work.

The staff will work between the community, Broadgreen and Woolton in what the charity said would allow them to continue to support and care for people in their preferred place.

The ICB is currently undertaking an assessment of what services and support the community need in the longer term once the ward closes in the Autumn.

A spokesperson for Marie Curie North West said: “We are pleased to share the news that a number of Marie Curie colleagues have been seconded on a temporary basis to support the delivery of care on a new inpatient palliative care ward at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital (LHCH).

“This is good news for patients across Liverpool who will have access to these inpatient beds alongside the medical, wellbeing and community services that Marie Curie continues to provide from our hospice in Woolton.”