Sue Ryder to Expand Palliative Care Across South Oxfordshire and Berkshire

Healthcare charity Sue Ryder has been awarded a new NHS contract to expand its palliative and end-of-life care services across Reading, Wokingham, Newbury and South Oxfordshire from January 2026.

The partnership with the NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (NHS BOB ICB) aims to help more people living with life-limiting conditions access compassionate care to manage symptoms and improve quality of life, often in their own homes.

Louise Lucio, Regional Director at Sue Ryder, said: “This is a major step forward for people in Berkshire West and South Oxfordshire who deserve expert, compassionate care at the end of their lives. Too many people across the UK still face dying and grief without the support they need, and here at Sue Ryder we want to change that.”

As part of the new agreement, Sue Ryder will introduce a Hospice at Home service in Berkshire West, supporting patients who wish to remain at home. A new ‘Virtual Ward’ service will also launch, offering hospital-level care at home, while a dedicated out-of-hours clinical advice line will provide support for patients, families and carers.

Zoe Woods, Deputy Director of Transformation at NHS BOB ICB, said: “Everyone deserves to feel cared for and supported at the end of their life and in their grief. This partnership with Sue Ryder means more people in our region will have access to compassionate, high-quality care that makes a real difference.”

Preparations for the service rollout are already under way, with Sue Ryder recruiting staff for its new Hospice at Home team ahead of the 2026 launch.