The Kirkwood has secured new, long-term funding which will allow it to recruit again and increase the number of beds.
The Dalton-based hospice faced a financial crisis in 2025 when a £1.7 million deficit forced jobs cuts and a reduction in clinical capacity.
Now new investment from the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board – Kirklees Place means the charity can now recruit into permanent clinical roles, helping to return its In-Patient Unit from 12 to 16 beds.
The investment will also allow the charity to increase the number of community nurses it employs to provide specialist support for patients in their own homes and care homes.
Furthermore, the resource ensures the continuation of The Kirkwood’s Virtual Hospice pilot, which offers intensive specialist care for those who choose to stay at home.
It will also fund a specialist ‘in-reach’ post within the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust to help patients in hospital access hospice services more easily.
Michael Crowther, chief executive of The Kirkwood, said: “After a very challenging period, this is a moment for real optimism.
“While we are still recovering from the financial challenges we faced last year, this investment is a significant step forward.
“It’s important to be clear that this doesn’t solve all our challenges, and it doesn’t put us back to where we were before 2025.
“However, it sets us on a positive path. It is a shared success for Kirklees, born from a lot of hard work with our partners, who are equally passionate about ensuring high-quality palliative and end of life care continues to be accessible for everyone in Kirklees, now and into the future.”
While the new funding offers more stability, the majority of The Kirkwood’s care continues to be funded through the kindness of local people.
In today’s challenging economic times, the charity needs support from the local community as much as ever.
Mr Crowther added: “The way our community responded to our crisis last year was nothing short of extraordinary.
“From our supporters and volunteers to local MPs and commissioners, The Kirkwood movement stood with us. Your advocacy and generosity reminded us why our mission is so vital.
“To keep our 16 beds open and our services running, we still rely on you.
“Our community stood with us during our most difficult days and that collective strength is the reason we have continued to be here for almost 40 years.
“Your help is as needed as much today as it ever has been. Every donation and every volunteer helps us ensure that no one in Kirklees has to face a life limiting illness alone.”
