Campaigners get 'no answers' over hospice future

A meeting was held between campaigners and Marie Curie representatives

Campaigners trying to save an inpatient unit at hospice said they were still waiting for answers from the charity's bosses, almost a year since it closed.

The 26-bed inpatient unit at Marie Curie in Woolton, Liverpool, closed last July because of a shortage in specialised nursing staff.

A public meeting was held last night by the Save Our Hospice group, which is urging the charity to provide more clarity over the unit's future.

A Marie Curie representative thanked campaigners for their "continued passion and support" and said staff, volunteers and the local community "will be the first to hear about any developments and decisions".

The 26-bed Marie Curie Hospice closed last July due to staff shortages

"We are shouting and screaming for support here and we are being ignored," campaigner Kate said.

"We are asking where is the money going? Where is the support? Why is this happening? We are not having answers, and we want to know why.

"If there isn't any money then tell us because we would like to then obviously try and support there being some money.

"We want to fundraise, we want to do whatever it is we can. What are the issues, because we would like to help."

A Marie Curie North West representative said: "We know the local community is concerned and many are finding the current situation difficult.

"We would like to thank the group for inviting us to give an update at this meeting and for their continued passion and support.

"Moving forward, we would hope to be able to participate in these meetings together with NHS Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB), who have responsibility for commissioning end of life care."

The charity said it would post regular updates on its website and said staff, volunteers and the local community "will be the first to hear about any developments and decisions as and when they happen".