North West Hospice

What North West Hospice does

North West Hospice is a registered Irish charity and company limited by guarantee, founded in 1986 by social worker Claire Campbell as the first specialist palliative care service in the Republic of Ireland. It delivers integrated palliative care across three settings: an in-patient hospice unit in Sligo, community palliative care delivered in patients' homes and nursing homes, and hospital palliative care at Sligo University Hospital, complemented by social work, bereavement support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, spiritual care, complementary therapies, and education and research services. Its catchment covers Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal, and West Cavan in Ireland's northwest.

The organization's revenue model is a hybrid statutory-charitable structure: the HSE (Health Service Executive) funds core clinical operating costs, while the North West Hospice Charity raises supplementary funds through a diversified portfolio including individual donations, charity retail (a Quay Street shop selling donated furniture, fashion, and homeware), Radio Bingo with Ocean FM, Spring Raffle, Sunflower Days street collections, Light Up A Life memorial campaign, Memorial Walk, Bewley's Coffee Morning, tax-efficient giving via the Charity Tax Back Scheme, and legacies and bequests. Marketing and community engagement operate through events, a podcast series, social media, online fundraising platforms (iDonate, JustGiving), and partnerships with schools and corporate sponsors.

North West Hospice holds Triple Lock status from the Charities Institute Ireland and complies with the Governance Code and Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising. A new 12-bedroom hospice facility, under construction since February 2024 with target completion in 2025, represents the organization's most significant recent capital expansion. It is governed by a voluntary board of non-executive directors spanning healthcare, legal, engineering, and finance backgrounds.

Name

North West Hospice

Legal name

North West Hospice Charity

Website

https://northwesthospice.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

North West Hospice is a Sligo-based Irish palliative care charity, founded in 1986, delivering specialist end-of-life care across inpatient, community, and hospital settings for patients with life-limiting illnesses in Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal, and West Cavan, funded by the HSE and charitable donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Palliative Care Services

NAICS

Home Health Care Services (62161), Home Health Care Services (6216), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Hospitals (8060), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community-Based Palliative Care (Home-Based Non-Hospice) (HLADAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hospice Care in Assisted Living / Residential Care Facilities (HLADAHAE), Hospital-Based Palliative Care (Inpatient Consult Services) (HLADAHAG), Hospice Care in Nursing Facilities (SNF/NH Hospice) (HLADAHAD), Bereavement, Grief & Family Support Services (Hospice-Linked) (HLAFAEAO), Palliative Care, Hospice & Serious Illness Support (BPAGACAK)

Keywords

• Palliative care services
• Hospice care
• End-of-life care
• Bereavement support
• Community nursing

Headquarters

HQ city

Sligo

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: North West Hospice is primarily funded through donations and fundraising activities. The HSE covers core operational clinical costs while the charity raises funds for enhanced services, equipment, facilities, and special projects.
2. Charity Shop: The charity operates a retail shop selling donated furniture, fashion, and homeware on Quay Street, Sligo. Unsold clothing is recycled.
3. Radio Bingo: North West Hospice Radio Bingo started in 2016 in partnership with Ocean FM. Bingo books are sold through outlets throughout the North West region.
4. Raffles and Events: Annual Spring Raffle with prizes including hotel vouchers and stays. Event-based fundraising includes Memorial Walk, Sunflower Days, and other campaigns.
5. Legacies and Bequests: Gifts created through Wills, including straight-forward money bequests and bequests of property and possessions, support long-term sustainability.
6. Tax-Efficient Giving: Donations of €250 or more qualify for tax relief under the Charity Tax Back Scheme, increasing donation value by 45% at no extra cost to donor.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

North West Hospice provides specialist palliative care services for people with life-limiting illnesses across four care settings: in-patient care at the Sligo hospice facility, community palliative care in patients' homes, hospital palliative care at Sligo University Hospital, and bereavement and social work support. All clinical services are provided free of charge to patients. The charity raises funds through donations, a charity shop, Radio Bingo, raffles, and events to supplement HSE-funded core operations and provide enhanced services, equipment, and facilities.

Product overview

North West Hospice is a charitable palliative care organization providing integrated specialist services across Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal, and West Cavan. The organization operates a multi-service model centered on three core clinical services: In-Patient Care at the hospice facility, Community Palliative Care delivered in patients' homes, and Hospital Palliative Care at Sligo University Hospital. These core services are supported by Social Work and Bereavement Care, Volunteer Services, and Education and Research programs. The North West Hospice Charity operates fundraising activities including Radio Bingo, Charity Shop, Light Up a Life Campaign, Memorial Walk, and Hospice Sunflower Days to supplement HSE funding. Educational initiatives include The Journey Together podcast series, Transition Year Education Projects, and the annual Explorations National Palliative Care Conference. The organization holds Triple Lock status from the Charities Institute Ireland for governance, fundraising, and transparent reporting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• In-Patient Care Specialist palliative care provided in a quiet hospice environment at the Sligo in-patient facility, offering 24-hour medical and nursing care alongside social work, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and spiritual support for patients with life-limiting illnesses.
• Community Palliative Care Home-based palliative care delivered by a team of Nurses, Doctors, and Social Workers who work closely with the patient's GP and Public Health Nurse to provide symptom management, emotional support, and bereavement care.
• Hospital Palliative Care Palliative care delivered by the Hospital Palliative Care Team based at Sligo University Hospital to inpatients and their families, with support to the hospital's medical and nursing teams for seamless care transitions.
• Social Work and Bereavement Care Supportive counselling and practical guidance for patients and families navigating illness-related challenges (relationships, work, finances), plus bereavement support including counselling and guidance on supporting children through loss.
• Education and Research Services Continuous professional development programme for clinical and care staff including monthly education sessions, practical clinical practice learning, and policy development to enhance service quality.
• North West Hospice Radio Bingo Fundraising initiative in partnership with Ocean FM, where participants purchase bingo books from retail outlets across the North West and listen to daily number calls to play.
• North West Hospice Charity Shop Retail shop on Quay Street, Sligo selling donated furniture, fashion, and homeware items, with proceeds funding hospice services.
• Light Up A Life Campaign Annual memorial campaign allowing supporters to sponsor lights on the Memory Tree in memory of loved ones, with proceeds supporting hospice services.
• Memorial Walk Annual community walk event held at Doorly Park, Sligo, allowing participants to walk in remembrance of loved ones with personalized t-shirts.
• Hospice Sunflower Days Annual national fundraising campaign held in June featuring street collections with sunflower merchandise to support specialist palliative care services.
• Transition Year Palliative Care Education Roadshow Education programme delivered to Transition Year students across North West schools during Palliative Care Week, building awareness and understanding of palliative care.
• Explorations National Palliative Care Conference Annual national conference hosted by North West Hospice in collaboration with HSE West/North West, bringing palliative care experts together to explore community-based palliative care delivery models.
• The Journey Together Podcast A 13-part podcast series offering compassionate, practical conversations about palliative care for patients, caregivers, and those seeking to understand the end-of-life journey, featuring expert insights and personal stories.
• Volunteer Services Volunteer programme providing therapeutic services (massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, reiki, art therapy, dog therapy) and practical support (driving, gardening, administration) for patients and families.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 175 students educated about palliative care through Transition Year Roadshow with measurable increase in understanding and empathy
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cowboys and Heroes Country Music FestivalcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 November 2025North West Hospice Charity selected as official charity partner for Ireland's premier country music festival in Drumcoura City, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim (May 29 - June 1, 2026). Festival's Family Fun Day on June 1st will raise funds for hospice care. Partnership brings together community, music, and fundraising.
• North West Schools (Transition Year Programme)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2025Educational partnership with St. Mary's College Ballisodare, Coola Post Primary School, Ballinamore Community School, and Summerhill College delivering palliative care education to over 175 Transition Year students as part of Palliative Care Week 2025.
• HSE West/North WestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth Service Executive provides core funding for operational clinical costs of North West Hospice palliative care services. Partnership includes collaboration on education initiatives and the Explorations National Palliative Care Conference. The charity complements HSE-funded services with enhanced facilities and equipment.
• Ocean FMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal radio station partnership for North West Hospice Radio Bingo since 2016. Ocean FM calls out bingo numbers daily, promotes the bingo programme, and announces winning details. The partnership has been a great success raising funds for palliative care.
• Irish Cancer SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIrish Cancer Society provides Night Nursing Service for cancer patients in partnership with North West Hospice. Patients can avail of this service free of charge for up to ten nights.
• Irish Hospice FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIrish Hospice Foundation provides Night Nursing Service for non-cancer patients in partnership with North West Hospice. North West Hospice helps arrange this service in conjunction with Public Health Nurses.
• Sligo Park HotelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for major events including podcast launch, bereavement information evenings, Light up a Life event, and Explorations National Palliative Care Conference.
• Bewley'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational coffee brand associated with North West Hospice's annual Bewley's Coffee Morning fundraising campaign.
• The K ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFive-star K Club in Co. Kildare provides €2,000 gift card as first prize in North West Hospice Spring Raffle 2026.
• Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, SligominorGTM or Marketing PartnerSligo hotel provides afternoon tea for two as third prize in North West Hospice Spring Raffle 2026.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Niall Mellon Township Trust (Hospice support): Large Irish charity with community-fundraising infrastructure overlapping NWH's donor-base regions. Comparable charity fundraising model though not a direct hospice operator.

Direct peers

• Milford Care Centre: Milford Care Centre in Limerick provides specialist palliative in-patient care, community palliative care, and bereavement services. Comparable multi-site hospice model with charity fundraising and HSE partnership.
• St. Francis Hospice: St. Francis Hospice operates specialist palliative care in-patient units and community services in north Dublin. Directly comparable specialist hospice service model with the same charity-plus-HSE funding structure and integrated multidisciplinary team approach.
• Marymount Hospice: Marymount is a specialist palliative care hospice in Cork providing in-patient, community, and bereavement services under the HSE-funded model. It is the most direct regional peer to North West Hospice with an overlapping service portfolio and charity fundraising structure.
• Our Lady's Hospice & Care Services: Our Lady's Hospice & Care Services in Harold's Cross and Blackrock is one of Ireland's largest hospices, providing specialist palliative care, rehabilitation, and older persons' services. Closest large-scale peer in service breadth and integrated care model.
• LauraLynn Children's Hospice: LauraLynn is Ireland's only children's hospice, providing specialist palliative care and disability services. A direct peer in hospice service model though differentiated by pediatric focus; shares the charity-funded Irish hospice operating context.
• Galway Hospice Foundation: Galway Hospice provides in-patient palliative care, home care, and bereavement support across Galway city and county via a charity-funded model with HSE support. Comparable in service mix, geographic scope, and reliance on community fundraising.

Broad incumbents

• Irish Hospice Foundation: The Irish Hospice Foundation is the national charity supporting hospice and palliative care across Ireland, providing grants, education, and advocacy. A broader industry incumbent that both partners with and supports regional hospices like North West Hospice.
• Marie Curie (UK): Marie Curie provides hospice in-patient care, community nursing, and bereavement support across the UK. Closest large-scale European charity offering the same integrated palliative care service portfolio as North West Hospice.
• Macmillan Cancer Support: Macmillan is the UK's largest cancer care charity funding specialist palliative nursing, hospice support, and patient services. A broader incumbent operating at scale in the same palliative/supportive care space with a volunteer- and donation-driven business model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/northwesthospic
• Facebookfacebook.com/northwesthospice
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/north-west-hospice

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about North West Hospice