An overnight nursing service providing palliative care in Ipswich and Suffolk will end after the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) withdrew funding, with the grant concluding on 31 March. The service, delivered by Marie Curie, supported 470 patients and provided 15,385 hours of vital care in the last financial year.
Julie Quinn, Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships and Services at Marie Curie in the East of England, described the decision as “deeply disappointing” and stressed that end-of-life care must be properly funded. She highlighted that charities should not be expected to provide NHS-commissioned services without long-term financial support, warning that the withdrawal could leave many people without essential care.
The ICB acknowledged the charity’s contribution but stated that it is shifting to a more neighbourhood-based approach, aimed at expanding access to support within local communities. The board emphasized that overall funding for end-of-life and palliative care will not be reduced and committed to working with patients and healthcare partners to ensure care quality during the transition.
Marie Curie confirmed it cannot continue delivering the overnight service without the grant and is consulting with staff and the ICB to manage the service closure while minimizing disruption to patient care.
