Additional Ward Beds Now Open

Before Christmas, we shared the encouraging news that, through a pilot with East Surrey Hospital, we were able to open three additional beds to support people who were ready to leave hospital but not yet able to return home.

We’re pleased to let you know that this pilot is now growing. From this week, we’ve doubled the number of these beds to six, meaning that we now have 19 beds open on our ward, so that we can help more people receive the care they need at a crucial moment.

These beds are already transforming people’s experiences. They give those with non‑complex palliative and end‑of‑life needs the chance to spend this stage of their journey in a calm, supportive hospice environment, surrounded by compassionate care. At the same time, they ease pressure on hospital wards, helping hospital teams focus on those who need acute medical support.

Although this expansion is a positive step, it remains a temporary pilot, only running until April 2026. Long‑term sustainable funding for hospice care continues to be a national challenge, and initiatives like this help ensure that people can still access hospice support during a difficult period for the sector.

For now, this expanded pilot allows us to be there for more local people and families, offering comfort and dignity when it matters most.