A hospice care charity has taken a step forward in its plans for inpatient care after a former Thirsk hospital was officially gifted by the local council.
Hambleton District Council announced its intentions to gift the former Lambert Memorial Hospital to Herriot Hospice Homecare last year, following a wide-reaching public consultation on its future use.
Residents identified an inpatient care facility as most needed, with many championing Herriot Hospice Homecare to provide it.
Now, plans have taken a step forward as the authority has officially gifted the building to the charity, as Herriot Hospice Homecare looks to do more for its community, both now and in the years to come.
The charity plans to turn the much-loved community space into a community hub for people living with terminal illness and bereavement – including a four-bed inpatient unit, bereavement counselling rooms, an education centre, café and meeting space, adapting the facility to the current and future needs of the community.
The building will also become the home for the its much-loved and already established community services, including the end-of-life care home service, sitting, befriending and driving services.
Hambleton District Council agreed to the transfer of the hospital in 2019, along with a financial contribution of £90,000 to help with the provision of the community hub, which was ratified in September last year.
Tony Collins, Herriot Hospice Homecare’s chief executive, said: “Thanks to our local community and partners, including Hambleton District Council and Lambert League of Friends, we are delighted to move one step further in making our plans to provide such vital local inpatient services a reality.
“We feel the facility will make a huge difference to people living with terminal illness and bereavement across Hambleton and Richmondshire, and with the support of our remarkable community and partners, we are pleased to continue our vision to ensure local people can access care and support when they need it most.”
Leader of Hambleton District Council, Councillor Mark Robson, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to complete the transfer of the hospital before Christmas – having hospice provision in the Hambleton district is a wonderful gift for the community.
“Local people are passionate about keeping the much-loved Lambert Hospital for community use and so is the council.
“By gifting it to the hospice we can bring the building back into use, give the community what they have been asking for, and provide a valuable service for the people of Hambleton.”
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