Hospice to reopen inpatient beds after funding boost

A hospice in Leicester is set to reopen more beds on its inpatient ward after being awarded additional funding from the NHS.

LOROS Hospice said last summer that it had been forced to reduce its beds from 31 to 18 due to "rising costs" and a "growing budget deficit".

In November, government funding along with the support of community donations enabled four beds to reopen on a temporary basis. Now, these beds plus two more have been confirmed as permanent, after the hospice was awarded a £1.2m funding increase.

Dr Luke Feathers, hospice medical director, said: "[The funding] is a vote of confidence for LOROS and the importance of getting end-of-life care right for our communities."

In July 2025, the hospice said it had to cut patient services in a bid to bridge a £2m income shortfall.

The budget reductions included cutting inpatient ward beds, day therapy and other services for patients and families.

The hospice added the decision came after a "perfect storm" of increased running costs, a reduction of income and a rise in demand from an ageing population.

The additional investment has come from the NHS integrated care board covering Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

It will support bed provision and "strengthen LOROS's role in neighbourhood models of care" by recognising the hospice's role in delivering community-based end-of-life and palliative care, bosses said.

Chantal Harrison's mother is receiving end-of-life care for terminal cancer at the hospice after being on the waiting list for a bed.

"When we got the call, it was such a relief," she said.

"She's somewhere that's got the correct care, the correct facilities, and we know that she can be looked after properly."

Harrison added the extra funding will make a "big difference" to families who are struggling at home.

Feathers added: "We are delighted to confirm that the extra beds will remain open to provide the specialist palliative and end-of-life care that our communities need.

"We are so pleased that the integrated care board has understood the importance of our role and recognised the impact of our care.

"We'd also like to thank our wonderful community who have generously donated and supported us throughout, and ask them to continue to do so."

Feathers said the wider aim was to reopen the remaining seven beds on the inpatient ward and urged people to donate in order to help them do this.

Dr Nil Sanganee, chief medical officer at Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and Northamptonshire Integrated Care Boards, said: "We are really pleased to be able to provide additional funding to support the reopening of more inpatient beds at LOROS.

"The hospice provides exceptional care for people and their families across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and plays a vital role in ensuring people receive compassionate, specialist support at the end of life."

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