NHS Lincolnshire care board to end Marie Curie’s overnight care service in Lincolnshire
A specialist overnight end-of-life care provider will close as part of a health shake-up, leaving charity leaders concerned about patient care.
Marie Curie’s overnight hospice care at home in Lincolnshire will end after the NHS Lincolnshire ICB declined to renew its contract.
The charity provided overnight end-of-life care at home, but NHS Lincolnshire ICB has opted for a domiciliary care model.
The Marie Curie night service covered Lincolnshire, with 17 healthcare assistants affected.
Marie Curie has requested a two-month extension to support staff and ensure care continuity.
The ICB has agreed to continue the night service while finalising an end date, but it’s unclear if the full extension has been granted.
Sue Morgan, associate director of strategic partnerships and services at Marie Curie, called the news 'devastating'.
She expressed concern the change could compromise care quality.
“Marie Curie’s expert care is crucial for patients, providing immense comfort to them and their families.
“Our healthcare assistants give people calm and dignity at the end – with one chance to get it right,” she said.
“We are concerned that the quality of care will be compromised by the ICB’s decision to change how overnight care is provided in the county.
“The ICB has changed its delivery model to one of domiciliary care, meaning specialist end-of-life care will no longer be provided.”
Sue said the cost of providing specialist care has risen while NHS funding has not kept up, and she questioned whether the ICB consulted patients and families before making the change.
The ICB said it is committed to ensuring high-quality palliative care across Lincolnshire and that services will continue through other providers.
A spokesperson for the ICB said: “We have been working with partners across health and care to develop a strategy that enables agencies to work together and with communities to provide the highest quality of care, communication and support.”
The ICB acknowledged the Marie Curie night service’s role in end-of-life care across Lincolnshire and thanked its staff.
It said it had been in discussions with Marie Curie for two years about integrating the service with other providers.
“We are disappointed that, despite ongoing dialogue, we have been unable to agree on a delivery model and arrangement that includes the Marie Curie night service as part of the integrated whole-system service for our patients,” said the spokesperson.
The ICB confirmed the Marie Curie night service would continue until an end date was agreed.
It will work with other providers to ensure patients, families, and carers receive support.
Marie Curie’s Rapid Response Service, operating from 8am to 8pm, will continue unaffected.
The charity said it will continue pushing for more investment in end-of-life care to ensure patients receive the right support.
