Liberal Democrat MPs "Hugely Concerned" as Arthur Rank Hospice Faces Significant Bed Closures

Cambridgeshire's Liberal Democrat MPs — Pippa Heylings, Charlotte Cane and Ian Sollom — have voiced "huge concern" over a funding cut that could force the Arthur Rank Hospice to close nine of its 23 beds denying dying patients and their families the dignity of palliative care in the community and increasing the pressure on hospital beds at Addenbrookes. 

The hospice, which provides crucial specialist end-of-life care not widely available elsewhere, is facing a funding deficit of £829,000. This dramatic reduction in service of 40% of its capacity is primarily due to Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) being unable to sustain its previous funding contribution. 

CUH has been commissioning specialist nursing palliative care at the hospice for over a decade in what the MPs see as a forward-thinking, proactive approach, freeing up hospital beds for treatable patients whilst enabling dying patients to live the rest of their lives with dignity in a more comfortable, home-like setting. It is understood that Addenbrookes had initially planned to continue this funding, anticipating the national shift toward community-based care — a core objective of the government’s 10-year Health Plan for England meant to free up hospital beds. However, the trust cannot maintain this funding because of growing financial pressure on its budgets allocated by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System. 

The financial crisis for the hospice is made even more severe by the government’s increase in employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs). This rise has forced the hospice to find an additional £225,000 a year, further threatening patient care. 

In response, Cambridgeshire’s Liberal Democrat MPs held emergency talks with the CEO of the hospice, Sharon Allen, who said: “The removal of this funding has truly devastated us all and the support from our local MPs is much appreciated. Although we sympathise with the financial pressures that CUH and indeed the whole NHS are under, the ending of this service will, without doubt, have huge implications for our local community. 

“Essentially, this now means that over 200 people a year will no longer have the option of being cared for in the comfort of our hospice and instead will sadly be dying in a busy hospital without the level of privacy for lasting memories, nor the expertise and outstanding care provided by our experienced, compassionate palliative care nurses. This is truly heartbreaking.” 

The MPs have written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, demanding the department provide sufficient funding to ensure the essential services the hospice provides can continue without interruption. They have also set up a petition here.

Pippa Heylings, Charlotte Cane and Ian Sollom said: 
 
“We cannot lose the amazing service of our beloved Arthur Rank Hospice which provides such important care to families, enabling people to die with dignity whilst receiving professional, caring support for themselves and their loved ones. At a time when the new NHS plan aims to move the provision of care to the community to alleviate pressure on hospital beds, it is astounding that funding decisions can be so short-sighted. 

“Everyone deserves access to excellent care right until the very end of their lives. Our hospices, not our overstretched hospitals, should be properly supported to provide this. It’s time for the government to see through its ambition for proper community-based care before it’s too late.”