Herriot Hospice at the Lambert

Our Story so far 

In response to local need in 2018, the leadership of North Yorkshire Hospice Care decided to establish a specialist hospice inpatient unit for the communities of Hambleton and Richmondshire. Following public consultation in 2019, the former Lambert Memorial Hospital in Thirsk was identified as the site for the new Herriot Hospice inpatient unit. Hambleton Council gifted the building to Herriot Hospice, and plans were developed for a full refurbishment. The aim was to create a six-bed specialist inpatient unit, four bereavement counselling rooms, a community hub, outpatient facilities, and a base for the well-established Herriot Hospice Homecare service.

After a challenging but successful fundraising campaign, refurbishment work began in 2021. The project was affected by the Covid pandemic, rising building costs and delays, but the work was completed in 2024.

The community hub opened, the bereavement counselling rooms began supporting clients, and Herriot Hospice Homecare moved into the building. The opening of the inpatient unit was delayed because CQC registration took significantly longer than expected. During this period, we welcomed day patients and outpatients into the building so they could benefit from the new facilities.

Where we are now

At the time of writing (June 2026), we have provided 20 inpatient stays, 700 bereavement counselling sessions, 40 outpatient clinic appointments and 60 day hospice care episodes. We have also welcomed more than 100 people to our weekly bereavement drop-in and further developed Herriot Hospice Homecare, providing end-of-life care in people’s homes for more than 100 individuals.

All 20 inpatient stays to date have been for symptom control and respite care, as the referral pathway for end-of-life care has not yet been agreed by South Tees NHS Trust. Subject to final approval, this pathway is expected to open in July/August. This may also lead to some limited NHS funding.

Where are we going next?

Our priority is to secure the long-term sustainability of the specialist inpatient service. We believe this will only be possible with NHS funding. So far, our requests have been unsuccessful because of wider NHS funding pressures and because some funding continues to go to hospices outside our immediate area, including Darlington and Teesside. With support from our MPs and NHS England, these decisions are being challenged in both the short and longer term. We are continuing to press for a fair funding system for the inpatient unit based on the mandatory requirements of NHS commissioning. Alongside this, we are also seeking diversionary funding from resources currently directed to out-of-area hospices, to help protect specialist inpatient care for the communities we serve.

The cost of providing inpatient care across four beds is just over £800,000 each year, all of which is currently funded through charitable donations. With the continued support of our communities, we believe we can sustain £500,000 per year in voluntary income. To achieve our aim of opening all six beds in April 2027, we need this to be matched through statutory funding.

We are also exploring how Herriot Hospice Homecare can be developed further, not only to support more people in their own homes at the end of life, but also to provide additional overnight care in the home.

Everything we have achieved so far has been made possible by the tremendous support and encouragement of hundreds of individuals, companies and charitable trusts. Thank you.

The next stage of this journey will also rely on that continued support, alongside fairer funding from the NHS.

Our Community Hub, open 10am-2pm, Monday-Friday, provides a space where our staff and volunteers welcome local people with the opportunity to purchase refreshments and find out more about our services and ways to get involved, including volunteering and fundraising. It also hosts some of our existing and growing services – such as our Digital Support Service and Wellbeing Services for people, their families and carers living with terminal illness locally.

Just ‘B’, part of our wider charity, has been providing its specialist bereavement support from Herriot Hospice at the Lambert, and the building is also an office base and reception for our existing and growing services, such as our community HOME service.

Our weekly drop-in for those affected by terminal illness locally – part of our Wellbeing Network – is also taking place from Herriot Hospice at the Lambert, Tuesdays 2-4pm. This is a warm and welcoming space for you to access information, support and meet others for peer support over a cuppa.

We’re also providing a Digital Support Service, which offers people practical help with online tasks. This comes as part of our mission to make sure everyone has the care and support they need at the end of their lives. You can book an appointment to get help from our digital champions by emailing digitalhub@hospice-care.org.

How can I find out more and support Herriot Hospice at the Lambert? 

Your continued support is vital to ensure your new local hospice can be here from opening, and through the years to come. Find out more below or call (01609) 777 413.