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Hospice Dream Realized After 20-Year Campaign
21 Oct
Summary
- A 16-bed hospice is under construction after a 20-year campaign.
- The £16m facility will provide end-of-life and outpatient care.
- Demand for hospice care in the area is expected to rise 35% by 2040.
A 16-bed hospice is now under construction in Gorleston-on-Sea, marking the culmination of a two-decade-long effort by local campaigners. The project, initiated by Margaret Chadd and Roberta Lovick, aims to provide vital end-of-life care to underserved communities along Norfolk and Suffolk's east coast.
This £16 million facility, run by St Elizabeth Hospice, will offer inpatient beds and outpatient services, including home visits. The initiative faced significant challenges over funding and location disputes for over 20 years.
Construction by Barnes Construction is expected to take approximately 14 months, with completion anticipated around 2027. This development addresses a critical gap, as the region has the largest population nationally without direct access to such a facility.
Projections indicate a 35% surge in demand for hospice care by 2040. Currently, only 2.1% of residents die in a hospice, compared to a national average of 4.4%.
