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St Catherine’s Opens Beds to Streamline Hospital Discharges

On Monday 2 February the hospice in Pease Pottage opened the additional beds as part of its ‘Home First’ pilot project, running until the end of April 2026, to improve patient flow from East Surrey Hospital. The new beds build on the excellent work carried out by the hospice’s Ward Team since the innovative project first began with three beds in November 2025.  

 

During the past three months, St Catherine’s has seen a steady increase in demand for these additional beds. This has enabled the hospice to work alongside the hospital’s palliative care and acute teams to identify suitable patients as early as possible. Not only does this support improved hospital flow but also enhances the care experience for patients and their families at a very challenging time. 

 

The additional bedrooms are for patients with non-complex palliative and end of life needs who are unable to return home and would otherwise need to remain in hospital while they wait for alternative care arrangements.  

 

Linda Coffey, Care Services Director at St Catherine’s said:  

 

“We are delighted that our ‘Home First’ pilot project is being expanded by a further three beds, taking the total up to six. This forward-thinking project is a way to ensure that our expert hospice bedrooms do not sit unused due to the lack of sustainable long term government funding, a crisis being felt by the entire hospice sector across the UK.  

 

“This fresh new approach with our local health partners ensures that patients in our community facing the end of their lives receive the expert, dignified care they deserve at the right time, and in the right location, for their individual needs.” 

 

Every year St Catherine’s cares for around 2,000 people in East Surrey and West Sussex living with a terminal or life-limiting illness on its hospice ward or out in the community. It costs around £14 million to run the hospice each year, but less than a third of this comes from the NHS. The rest is raised through the support and generosity of the local community.      

          

To donate to St Catherine’s or to find out more visit: stch.org.uk

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