Inpatient beds reopened at hospice but more funding still needed
More inpatient beds are being reopened at Leicestershire’s LOROS Hospice but a funding shortage means that seven are unable to be made available currently.
Last summer, rising costs and a growing deficit forced the charity to cut some of its services for patients and families, including reducing its ward beds down from 31 to 18.
![The Tree of Life is one way of donating to LOROS - families can buy a leaf with a personalised message for a loved one who has passed [Pictures copyrighted to Beth Walsh Photography- www.bethwalsh.co.uk]](https://www.meltontimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjQ3Nzg2ZWI0LTk5MGQtNGQwNS1hMGI5LThkNDU1MzdiMDI3NTozYTU2NWJmNy02MWNkLTRkMmYtYWMzNy03ZDM3Njc1ZGY1MDM=.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=65)
In November, short term winter pressures funding, plus the generous support of the local community, enabled four beds to reopen on a temporary basis.
Now these beds, plus two more, have been confirmed as permanent.
Dr Luke Feathers, medical director at LOROS Hospice, said: “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 ICB have 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.”
The beds have enabled people like Richard Holden, who was admitted to the LOROS ward in November, to have their symptoms managed so effectively they could return home.
Linda, Richard’s wife said: “Richard was in excruciating pain when he was transferred to LOROS.
"Had he not secured a bed we really don’t know what could have been done with the severe pain and he would have continued a very quick decline in his health.”
Dr Feathers said public donations are also vital in retaining the level of services at the Leicester-based hospice because an ageing population increases the demand for specialist care.
“We currently cannot open all 31 of our beds, not because the demand isn’t there, but because there isn’t sufficient funding to allow us to do it,” he said.
“Our donors have been brilliant in helping us. Now we’re asking them again to help make this a reality because at any point it could be your friend, relative or loved one who needs our specialised care and cannot wait.”
Dr Nil Sanganee, chief medical officer at Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and Northamptonshire Integrated Care Boards, said: “This investment will help strengthen inpatient capacity at LOROS while also supporting the development of our neighbourhood model of care."
Go to www.loros.co.uk to donate.