The Value of Hospice Care in West Yorkshire

Tracey Wilcocks, Chief Executive of Overgate Hospice and current Chair of the West Yorkshire Hospice Collaborative

When people hear “hospice,” many picture only the very end of life. But hospice care is about so much more: it is about living well, supporting families, and strengthening our communities.

This Hospice Care Week (6–12 October), the theme “Hospice care is more than you think” captures that perfectly.

Across West Yorkshire, we are proud to have two children’s hospices and eight adult hospices, rooted in our communities and working hand in hand with NHS, social care, and voluntary partners. Together, we support thousands of people of all ages each year –walking alongside them and their families.

We’re there from the beginning. From the moment someone is diagnosed with a life-limiting condition, we provide expert care and support to help people make the most of life. That might mean managing symptoms so someone can keep doing what they love, offering emotional and psychological support through the ups and downs of illness, or being a steady source of reassurance for families. Hospice care is about enabling people to live fully, with dignity and choice, for as long as possible.

And our impact goes further. We help reduce pressure on hospitals, equip health and care professionals with skills and knowledge, support innovation, and extend care to families through bereavement. Hospice care brings compassion and expertise into the heart of the health and care system.

What sets us apart is our philosophy: to see the whole person, not just their illness. That is why hospice care is more than you think – compassionate, skilled, collaborative, and profoundly human.

As the West Yorkshire Hospice Collaborative, we are proud of the extraordinary commitment of our staff and volunteers and the difference we make together to people, families, and the system as a whole.

This Hospice Care Week, we invite you to take a fresh look at your local hospice. You may be surprised by the breadth of care we provide and the impact we have every single day.

Hospice care is not just about the end of life – it is about living well, supporting families, and building compassionate communities across West Yorkshire. Truly, it is more than you might think.