
Protesters gather to demand hospice reopens and question funding
A large group of campaigners gathered outside the unit on Saturday afternoon and held placards criticising Marie Curie for not "taking up our offer" to fundraise for the unit. Some wore yellow t-shirts with the slogans "Save our Hospice" and "Save our Ward".
Independent Liverpool councillor Lucy Williams, who attended a protest at the unit on Saturday, told the BBC: "It's been a year since they closed their doors to the inpatient unit and it's been a year that they've continued to receive funding from the ICB."So we're here today to ask where has that money gone and why haven't they delivered that service that they're getting commissioned to provide."Williams worked at the hospice as a palliative care nurse for two years, and said: "People's relatives and loved ones have died here and a lot of them have committed their time to fundraising for this hospice."We found out over this year that money doesn't come to this hospice, it goes into a national pot - so throughout the closure this fundraising has continued and people haven't been aware that the inpatient unit in Liverpool has been closed."
'Get the ward open'
Williams said an "easy" resolution was to immediately re-open the ward. She said: "They're receiving the funding to have the ward open, surely they can have one or two beds? That's better than none at all. "So get the ward open and if Marie Curie aren't competent to provide the service then the ICB need to commission someone who is."The Marie Curie spokesperson said the charity hoped to reach an agreement with the NHS integrated care board "as soon as possible".While admissions to the inpatient unit "had been paused", the hospice had remained open and was providing palliative and end of life care to "thousands of people in Liverpool in different ways", they added. The spokesperson said the ICB was aware its funding was being used to provide these services.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
Experts reveal how dehumidifiers work in your home
The best dehumidifiers not only defend against damp and mould in your home, but can help dry laundry loads and improve your abode's air quality – tick, tick, tick. They work by drawing excess moisture from the surroundings, which can speed up clothes drying times, oust odors and reduce dust and allergens in the air. A must-have during cold weather when dampness rears its ugly head, dehumidifiers are equally useful during the warmer months, as they help to reduce humidity levels in your home. Along with the best air fryers, dehumidifiers have become a buzzword when it comes to energy efficiency, too. Their cost-buzzing credentials reportedly save you on your household bills. But are they worth the initial investment? If you've been considering taking the plunge, I spoke to a range of experts about everything you need to know when it comes to dehumidifiers, from their health benefits to how they actually work. How do dehumidifiers work 'A compressor dehumidifier is the most common type of dehumidifier used in the UK and uses similar technology to a refrigerator,' explains Chris Michaels, chair and founder of leading company Meaco. 'The dehumidifier draws in air from the room using a fan and this air passes over a cold coil inside the unit, which cools it down and causes the moisture in the air to condense into water droplets.' He adds: 'This water is collected in the dehumidifier's tank, and the drier air is gently reheated and released back into the room.' Dr Rebecca Drummond, associate professor in the Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy at the University of Birmingham, elaborates, saying: 'Dehumidifiers help remove moisture in the air, which can help your home feel less humid. Lots of moisture in the air can feel uncomfortable, but it also helps fungal spores from mould settle and grow. Dehumidifiers can therefore reduce the risk of mould growing in your home' Katie Lilywhite, air quality expert at AO, adds: 'High humidity levels can make a room feel uncomfortable and sticky. A dehumidifier works by pulling in humid air and extracting moisture from it through a refrigeration process.' The reduced humidity in your home can make the air feel cooler and more comfortable, even if the temperature remains the same. What are their benefits? Above all, Michaels says that dehumidifiers 'help prevent damp, mould and condensation, while improving indoor air quality'. But, according to Lilywhite, one of their most underrated uses is speeding up the drying time of your laundry. 'In colder months, when pegging your washing outside isn't an option, this can be a lifesaver,' she continues. 'Simply put your dehumidifier in the same room where your laundry is drying, near the drying rack or clothesline.' As dehumidifiers work by extracting moisture from the air in your room, they work to significantly reduce drying times. Michaels agrees, adding that they 'offer a low-cost alternative to dry wet washing indoors instead of electricity-guzzling tumble driers'. Dehumidifiers are also ideal for allergy sufferers. 'Many modern dehumidifiers also come with built-in air purifiers, improving indoor air quality by filtering out allergens like dust and pollen,' Lilywhite says. What are the dangers of mould? 'We breathe in mould spores all the time, but our immune system is very effective at destroying them,' Dr Drummond explains. 'In some people with compromised immune systems, mould can grow in the lung and cause a pneumonia-like infection. If not treated properly, mould infections can spread to other parts of the body and become life threatening.' But even people with healthy immune systems can suffer from excessive mould exposure (such as living in a damp home). 'Breathing in too many spores can overwhelm the immune system, and the fungus may produce toxins or other molecules that damage our lungs,' Dr Drummond says. 'Mould should therefore never be ignored, as it could cause a wide range of health issues.' our tried and tested review of dehumidifiers inform you on what model to buy. Duux's bora smart 30l gadget came out on top in our round-up of the best dehumidifiers for 2025. 'It's a high-performance model that's as stylish as it is functional. It might be large, but it features a premium, minimalist design, which is ideal if you're after a dehumidifier that won't ruin your home aesthetic,' our tester said. With a 30l per day extraction rate and a generous 4l water tank, it's perfect for larger rooms or open-plan homes. 'What really sets it apart is its smart functionality. The Duux app is intuitive, responsive, and packed with helpful features,' they added. 'It provides real-time air quality readings and enables you to control everything from fan speed to humidity settings, whether you're on the sofa or away from home.'


The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
The signs of postnatal depression to look out for
Up to 85,000 new mothers in England may have been impacted by postnatal depression last year, according to new analysis by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych). The RCPsych warns that untreated postnatal depression, which affected almost 15 per cent of new mothers, can be 'truly devastating' and lead to the 'unnecessary' deaths of women and sometimes their babies. Maternal suicide is highlighted as the leading cause of death in women from six weeks to a year after birth. Symptoms can include persistent feelings of sadness, low mood, a lack of interest, trouble sleeping, and potentially thoughts of harming the baby. The RCPsych urges women and their partners to seek support for these treatable conditions, which can be managed with talking therapies or antidepressants, with medics assuring medication safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding.


BBC News
24 minutes ago
- BBC News
NHS Sussex and Surrey Heartlands ICBs to merge in reforms
Two NHS boards in Sussex and Surrey are preparing to merge as part of a government savings drive, putting hundreds of jobs at risk, a meeting Sussex and NHS Surrey Heartlands – two integrated care boards (ICBs) – are expected to have merged by next April, losing many of the 1,350 staff who currently work at the two changes are part of the latest round of NHS reforms which include the abolition of NHS England and the scrapping of independent watchdog a Brighton and Hove City Council meeting on Tuesday, Stephen Lightfoot, chairman of NHS Sussex, said a "significant number" of the boards' staff will not have a job in the coming year. Mr Lightfoot added: "Over the next three years, when our demand continues to increase, we're going to have to reduce our expenditure."We're going to have to work very hard to make better use of the money that we have."Mr Lightfoot said combining Sussex and Surrey would not affect the overall budget for the two ICBs but was the only safe and reliable way to deliver sustainable said the ICBs had both been told to halve their running costs by bring together NHS organisations, councils and others to plan and commission health services in their area, with the aim of improving health and reducing Minister Keir Starmer announced in March that NHS England will be abolished to "cut bureaucracy" and reform how the NHS is 9,000 administrative roles are being cut at NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care as part of the changes - amounting to roughly half of all roles at the two organisations.