Hospices merge to boost regional care

Two North East hospice charities have agreed plans to merge in a move designed to strengthen end-of-life care services across the region.

Teesside Hospice and Butterwick Hospice have agreed in principle to combine operations to support the long-term sustainability of hospice care across Tees Valley and County Durham.

Together, the organisations currently support more than 6700 people living with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

Teesside Hospice provides inpatient care, wellbeing services, lymphoedema treatment and bereavement counselling across the Tees Valley, while Butterwick Hospice operates adult and children’s hospice services from sites in Stockton and Bishop Auckland.

The organisations say the merger will help meet increasing demand for specialist care while protecting services for future generations.

Both hospices will continue working together through the merger process with a focus on maintaining compassionate support for patients and families across the communities they jointly serve.

Mike Thornicroft, chief executive at Teesside Hospice, said: “At Teesside Hospice we have experienced a significant increase in demand for our services across the last few years and we have grown to meet this demand.

“Year on year we have seen increases in referrals and patient contacts across all our services, and we have taken steps to ensure we can meet the needs of this growing community without compromising our standards. 

“This has included upgrades to our facilities, such as recent refurbishments in our In-Patient Unit and Wellbeing Centre, and increased staffing.

“But we’re not done, and our mission is to ensure everyone across the region has access to the care they need and deserve. 

“Nationally, one in three people are still dying without the care they need at the end of life – we want to change that and together, through this collaboration, we will be stronger and better placed to drive this growth.

“We will continue to be the heart of the community – today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.”

Edward Gorringe, chief executive at Butterwick Hospice, added: “Over the last few years Butterwick Hospice has re-established itself at the heart of our communities, our Adult In-Patient Unit has reopened, the quality of our services has been recognised by the Care Quality Commission, and we have had the privilege of supporting a steadily increasing number of patients and their families. 

“We now want to develop our services further and faster, ensuring that we are able to respond to changing needs and demands over the coming years. 

“We believe that this can be best achieved by working with others and are excited by the potential offered by this collaboration with Teesside Hospice.

“Together we will be stronger, more resilient and more responsive, anchored in our respective communities, and committed to continue providing the holistic, loving care envisaged by our founder, Mary Butterwick.”

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