Lib Dems demand intervention to stop closure of hospice beds

SOUTH Cambridgeshire District Council is set to debate a motion calling on the Government to step in and prevent major cuts to end-of-life care services at Arthur Rank Hospice.

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The motion, tabled by Liberal Democrat councillors, highlights an £829,000 annual funding shortfall that is expected to force the hospice to close nine of its 23 inpatient beds - a 40 per cent reduction in capacity.

According to council figures, more than 200 patients a year could lose access to specialist hospice care if the cuts go ahead.