Boston’s Butterfly Hospice set to welcome in-patients after NHS deal

A three-year deal has been signed for Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust to run palliative and end of life care for people suffering from ‘life limiting’ illnesses at the Boston facility.

The Rowan Way hospice was purpose-built thanks in-part to donations from the public but while it has been home to some services, this will be the first time it has been able to take on in-patients.

The move creates 14 jobs for the community health trust and seven for the Butterfly Hospice Trust, the charity that runs the site. The care will also be supported by volunteers.

The move is funded by NHS Lincolnshire East Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which has been looking at where to run extra palliative care in the area.

The contract is for six in-patient beds.

Andy Rix, Boston locality general manager for Lincolnshire East CCG, said: “We are delighted to have concluded a detailed procurement process that has challenged providers to be innovative in how they will deliver the best care for patients requiring in-patient palliative care.

“This means that there will be local provision of palliative inpatient beds for patients in the east of Lincolnshire, based in the Butterfly Hospice’s new In-patient Unit in Boston. We look forward to working with Lincolnshire Community Health Services and the Butterfly Hospice Trust.”

Sue Cousland, chief nurse and director of operations for Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS), said: “We are very excited to be working in partnership with the Butterfly Hospice Trust to build on the palliative care and expertise LCHS already provides in the community.

“This service will allow patients to have the choice of having quality, seamless in-patient support closer to home, whether for respite or end of life care.”

The hospice sits within four acres of grounds close to Pilgrim Hospital.

Butterfly Hospice bosses have hailed the ‘very good news’ that they will be able to treat in-patients at the site.

The hospice dream first began at a public meeting back in 2000 - with the foundation stone laid in 2010 and the building officially opened by Princess Anne in 2011.

Chief Executive of Butterfly Hospice Trust Judi Byrne said: “This is very good news for local people. Our partnership with LCHS enables our hospice staff and volunteers to work together with clinical teams to give patients, their carers and families individualised care which promotes choice and maintains privacy and dignity.

“The homely and welcoming in-patient unit is the result of many years of visionary hard work and dedication from numerous people in the community and they can be very proud of what they have achieved.”

The hospice was unable to cater for in-patients immediately after opening as it needed to secure a deal of the type announced this week to ensure the ongoing funding of the service.