Bold claim: early, compassionate care can redefine how we experience life with serious illness—and The Myton Hospices just proved it. They have won the Innovator in Care Award at the 2025 Hospice UK Awards, a ceremony that drew more than 150 submissions across eight categories, making this year’s competition the strongest to date.
What earned them this honor is the GP Information Clinics initiative. In partnership with local Primary Care Networks, these clinics embed hospice expertise directly into general practice, giving patients, families, and carers timely, tailored guidance in a setting they already trust. By introducing specialist support earlier in a patient’s journey, the clinics help people make informed choices and feel more supported throughout their care experience.
The award was announced at Hospice UK’s national conference in Liverpool and accepted by Olivia Bowskill, Registered Nurse and Community Engagement Manager at The Myton Hospices, who leads the project. Olivia shared her pride in recognizing the value of reaching people earlier in their illness, noting that many patients discover support services they didn’t know existed. Providing this service at a pivotal moment—when uncertainty and fear can be high—helps ensure people have the knowledge and reassurance they need.
Judges praised the initiative for showcasing how innovation, collaboration, and community engagement can improve patient outcomes. They highlighted its measurable impact and its potential to influence national improvements in early access to palliative care, inspiring other hospices to explore community-based models.
Ruth Freeman, CEO of The Myton Hospices, emphasized the award as a validation of their commitment to early engagement and family-centered care. She thanked Olivia, the collaborating GPs, and the Primary Care Networks for turning this vision into reality.
Looking ahead, The Myton Hospices plans to roll out GP Information Clinics across Coventry and Warwickshire, expanding access to specialist support for even more patients and families. Their long-term aim is to establish this model as a sustainable, community-based blueprint for palliative care that other hospices can adopt nationwide.
Core message: Life matters at every moment, and care should accompany you from the moment of diagnosis onward. The Myton Hospices serves adults 18+ across Coventry, Rugby, and Warwick, supporting a wide range of life-limiting illnesses—from respiratory and heart conditions to cancer, neurological disorders, and organ failure. In the past year, demand for inpatient beds has risen by 11%, underscoring the need for more capacity. The organization remains the sole provider of hospice inpatient beds in Coventry and Warwickshire and operates as a charity reliant on donations and community support, receiving only about 17% of its funding from the NHS. They aim to raise £12.7 million of the £15.3 million annual cost to keep services free for patients and families. For more information or to contribute, visit www.mytonhospice.org.
