Marie Curie to host meeting to provide community with important information on service changes

A community meeting has been organised by end of life charity Marie Curie to share the most accurate and up-to-date information on the pause in admissions to the in-patient unit at its hospice in Woolton.  

The event, set to take place at Woolton Golf Club on Monday 28 April 2025 from 5pm to 6:30pm, will provide an opportunity for the local community to be heard, as well as ask questions and share any concerns with the charity’s senior leaders. 

The meeting is part of the charity’s ongoing commitment to keep the local community informed and involved about developments at the hospice, ensuring they have the latest and most accurate information available. 

Representing the charity at the meeting will be Matthew Reed, CEO; Annette Weatherley, Chief Nursing Officer; Sarah Holmes, Chief Medical Officer; Sam Royston, Executive Director of Policy and Public Affairs, and John Foley, Director of Caring Services Transformation and Delivery for Marie Curie North West. 

Meeting organiser and Marie Curie Head of Patient and Public Engagement, Cassia Nice, said:

“We know the people of Liverpool are concerned and want to share their concerns about the inpatient unit. We want to make sure that everyone has the most up-to-date and accurate information, as well as the opportunity to raise concerns and ask questions. It is our aim to ensure that people can easily access the event, and we will have staff on hand for those who may require support or want to find out more about other Marie Curie services, including our day care, outpatients and support line, available to the people of Liverpool.” 

Entry to the event is free and open to everyone, but pre-booking is required as spaces are limited.

John Foley, Director of Caring Services Transformation and Delivery for Marie Curie North West, said:

“We want to ensure that the voices of all parts of the community here in Liverpool are heard at the meeting and that we have the time to explain the current developments, and what our priorities are for the coming weeks.  

“We are continuing to work with NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB), who have a duty to commission palliative care services, to reach an agreement which would enable us to safely re-open the inpatient unit at our hospice in Woolton.  

“Such an agreement will need to address the funding shortfall which currently prevents sustainable delivery of our services as well as staffing requirements for the hospice.  

“We also want a commitment to work together on a guaranteed future for more widely accessible inpatient beds across Liverpool not just in the weeks and months ahead, but in the years to come, too.” 

As part of the community meeting on 28 April there will be a question and answer section, allowing members of the public to submit questions in advance and on the day. 

Members of the public can get in touch with Marie Curie by emailing comments@mariecurie.org.uk. 

Find more information on the Marie Curie website.

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