Liverpool Hospice Pressure Group began in February 2025, when local residents came together after discovering that all 26 inpatient beds at the Marie Curie Woolton hospice had been “paused” since July 2024. At the time, the public had been reassured that this was temporary and that the wards would reopen. Instead, for months, Central and South Liverpool had been left with no specialist inpatient hospice beds, and no clear explanation. While North Liverpool still had Woodlands Hospice, the sudden loss of beds elsewhere placed significant pressure on its services. Families in Central and South Liverpool faced long travel distances, reduced choice, and fewer options for dignified, specialist end‑of‑life care close to home. In January 2026, the NHS opened Maple Suite at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital - a 10‑bed unit providing short‑term end‑of‑life care and symptom control. This was introduced strictly as a temporary measure, initially planned to run until October 2026, and later extended until April 2026. Although Maple Suite provided much‑needed relief, it was never intended to replace a hospice, and it highlighted the scale of the gap left by the closure of Woolton’s inpatient beds. The group originally formed as the Liverpool Hospice Action Group, driven by a shared belief that Liverpool deserved transparency, accountability, and equitable access to hospice care.

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Early members worked tirelessly to uncover information, raise awareness, and ensure that the disappearance of inpatient beds could not be quietly accepted. In spring 2026, as the group’s purpose sharpened and its advocacy became more focused, members agreed to evolve into the Liverpool Hospice Pressure Group. The new name reflects a clearer mission: applying sustained, evidence‑based pressure on decision‑makers to restore and protect specialist inpatient hospice provision for the whole city. We also acknowledge with respect those who were part of the group at the beginning and who have since stepped back for their own reasons. Their early commitment helped bring this issue into the open and laid the foundations for the work that continues today. Liverpool Hospice Pressure Group now stands as a determined, united voice for the community - pushing for transparency, championing patient dignity, and fighting for a future where every Liverpool resident can access compassionate, specialist end‑of‑life care when they need it most.