Liverpool’s Marie Curie Hospice is set to permanently close its doors.
The purpose-built facility on Speke Road in Woolton had previously provided end-of-life and palliative care since 1994 after originally opening in the area in 1959.
A 26-bed inpatient unit catered for people diagnosed with terminal illnesses during their final days and weeks as well as community services and day services.
However the hospice, one of only two in the city providing this specific level of care, has been closed since July 2024 due to issues around both funding and staffing.
Several protests have taken place outside the centre during its hiatus in attempts to highlight the importance of the unit to those requiring palliative and end-of-life care.
Marie Curie had been in discussions with NHS Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB) in attempts to provide sustainable long-term funding.
But chief executive Matthew Reed confirmed on Wednesday that the option has not become viable and that the charity has taken the decision to shut down operations.
He 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.”