Treetops Hospice, one of the UK’s largest non‑bedded hospices, has published its plans to expand its specialist community‑led end-of-life care.
Launched at a time of rising demand and growing pressure on both bedded hospices and NHS services, Treetops’ decisive new three-year strategy sets out how its non‑bedded model will play a vital role in helping local health and care systems in a sustainable way.
As the UK government and Integrated Care Boards consider how end‑of‑life care should be funded and delivered in the future, Treetops says its approach reflects a wider national shift towards flexible, community‑rooted support that can adapt to patient needs.
In line with the government’s 10‑Year Health Plan to expand community‑based care, the hospice will strengthen and develop its clinical services over the coming years. This includes evolving its Hospice at Home service into a 24/7 operational model, enhancing specialist expertise, reaching more patients, and deepening collaboration with NHS and social care partners.
The strategy launch also comes amid warnings from Hospice UK that the sector is at a “crossroads”, with organisations across the country reassessing how to remain agile.
Whilst hospices with inpatient wards continue to play an important role for people requiring intensive clinical support outside of the home, many are looking to expand community‑based services that can respond quickly, decrease reliance on bed occupancy and help reduce avoidable hospital admissions.
Treetops says its non‑bedded model continuously complements the evolving hospice landscape while providing a financially sustainable, modern approach that aligns with patient preferences and supports long‑term resilience.
Philippa Shreeve, Director of Clinical Services, said the strategy reflects the pressures facing both the NHS and the hospice sector. She explained: “Our approach prioritises helping people plan ahead for their care, supporting complex cases and stepping in quickly to provide our expertise when someone is in crisis.
“Providing more care in the community is vital. It helps people stay at home if that’s what they want, and it supports the wider health system to manage demand.”
Leaders say this positions Treetops as a reliable system partner at a time when Integrated Care Boards are seeking flexible models of end‑of‑life support.
“The unfortunate UK decline of available hospice beds and the fact that most people’s preferred place of death is in the place they call home, clearly indicates the growing need for specialist community-based palliative care. This has been and remains Treetops’ core purpose,” said John Knight, Chief Executive at Treetops.
“Our forward‑looking model is designed to deliver high quality care where people feel most comfortable, and to contribute constructively to the national discussion about how hospice services adapt for the future.”
Last year, the hospice supported more than 2,100 patients and delivered over 34,000 hours of care across central and southern Derbyshire. Its teams provide specialist palliative support, including crisis intervention, complex symptom management and trauma‑informed emotional care.
As Treetops looks ahead, the strategy reflects a renewed promise to the communities it serves – ensuring compassionate, expert and sustainable care remains accessible and rooted in the place people call home.
