Update - December 2021

Since issuing our last statement about the plans for the future of Cransley Hospice the Boards of Cransley Hospice Trust (CHT) and Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust (NHFT) have been working at pace and we are delighted to be able to bring you an update with the positive progress which has been made.

In the last statement, we confirmed that the senior representatives from both NHFT and CHT had agreed on actions and priorities for the project and reaffirmed their commitment to working in partnership towards improving end of life care for our local community.

We can now confirm that NHFT have concluded the first phase of the review of options which were under consideration and we are delighted to report that both NHFT and CHT are in joint agreement about a preferred way forward for Cransley Hospice.  This preferred way forward meets the agreed requirements for capacity, accommodates the current services and includes options for future expansion that would meet the demands of a modern hospice in North Northamptonshire.

Paul Humphrey, Chair of Cransley Hospice Trust said, “We are delighted with the progress that has been made up to this point and we will continue to support NHFT and work diligently to advance the project through the future stages as quickly as possible.”

Crishni Waring, NHFT Chair commented “Cransley Hospice provides an invaluable service in our county, which truly makes a difference. We are very proud to be involved in this work and look forward to working with colleagues at Cransley Hospice Trust in the next phase of this project, to deliver continuous improvement for local residents.”

The next phase of the process, to complete the financial analysis of the preferred way forward is now being undertaken by NHFT and this is set to be concluded by mid-January.

Cransley Hospice Trust (CHT) and the Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust (NHFT) continue to work together for the future of end of life care in North Northamptonshire and we look forward to being able to share further updates early in the new year.

Update - September 2021

We are pleased to bring you the latest update for the campaign to keep Cransley Hospice local.

Since our last update in December 2020, a substantial amount of work has been done by Cransley Hospice Trust (CHT), and we are delighted to report on the positive progress.

The extensive four-year search by CHT for suitable sites to house the new hospice has now been concluded.  This project has undertaken a detailed evaluation of over 22 potential sites and has now identified a viable option within North Northamptonshire. The site includes capacity to accommodate the current services offered by the hospice, with options for future expansion that would meet the demands of a modern hospice.

January 2021 saw renewed engagement to the project from Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust (NHFT), following the reinvigoration of a Project Board comprising senior representatives from both NHFT and CHT.  Both parties agreed actions and priorities for the project and are engaged and committed to working in partnership towards improving end of life care for our local community. We thank senior leaders at NHFT for their commitment and ongoing support.

CHT presented its project conclusions to the NHFT Board in April, along with a robust outline business plan.  NHFT has committed to carrying out a full review of this and other options and will inform CHT of the outcome of their considerations by late Autumn.

Meanwhile, we have been working with NHFT to secure an extension to the lease on the existing Cransley Hospice building that is due to expire at the end of 2023. Whilst not yet finalised, we are pleased to report that discussions are advancing positively.

Whilst there have been good levels of engagement from both sides, there is still work to be done before a solution is agreed and we continue to work with NHFT to move the project forward with plans to retain and modernise end of life care in North Northamptonshire. In addition, CHT has also now completed the background preparations and is ready to launch a capital fundraising appeal to support the project and to this end have secured a significant high-value donation.

CHT is fully committed to working in partnership with NHFT to secure a sustainable home for our future hospice and end of life care in North Northamptonshire.