Shock claims over sudden closure of Headingley hospice inpatient unit

End-of-life patients at a hospice in Leeds were suddenly moved from the building with almost no advance warning for relatives or staff, the Yorkshire Evening Post can reveal.

- by James Connolly

Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Headingley temporarily closed its inpatient unit in August last year, with the charity telling the YEP at the time that "unforeseen staff shortages" had forced the move.

But a group of whistleblowers claimed ward teams were blindsided by the closure that came "out of the blue", leaving them scrambling to find suitable beds for vulnerable end-of-life patients elsewhere.

In a statement, Sue Ryder reiterated that the temporary closure was necessary because teams were "unable to meet safe staffing levels" and had "no other option".

According to whistleblowers, a number of relatives arrived at the hospice unaware of the impending closure and became distressed to find their loved ones being prepared for transfer.

They described angry and upset family members confronting staff on the ward as ambulances pulled up outside, demanding to know why frail and dying patients were being moved.

In response, Sue Ryder acknowledged that some relatives were informed of the decision after ambulances had arrived, but said that teams were acting with the "best of intent" and apologised to families at the time.