Keech Hospice becomes a University Hospice

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Keech Hospice has formally become a University Hospice following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Bedfordshire — strengthening a long-standing partnership focused on innovation, learning and improving palliative and end of life care.

The agreement reinforces a shared commitment to advancing innovative learning and research, enhancing the quality of care for patients and families across our wonderfully diverse community, while contributing to improvements in palliative care nationally.

As a University Hospice, Keech will work closely with the University to develop new learning and research strategies, including innovative PhD pathways. This will bring together Keech’s clinical expertise with academic insight, enabling students to engage directly in research within a real hospice environment and supporting staff from both organisations to collaborate on research that improves care, experience and outcomes for people at the end of life.

The MoU builds on a strong history of collaboration between Keech Hospice and the University of Bedfordshire. Previous joint work includes a PhD-led study completed in 2023 examining child palliative care and its impact on families, alongside research focused on underserved groups. Most recently, in 2025, the University began leading research into the palliative care needs of the local Eastern European community.

Keech Hospice and University of Bedfordshire Partnership

Liz Searle, Chief Executive of Keech Hospice, said:

Becoming a University Hospice strengthens our partnership with the University of Bedfordshire and enables us to advance innovative learning and research, enhancing the quality of palliative and end of life care for our wonderfully diverse community and for the wider sector nationally. By bringing together clinical expertise and academic insight, we can improve care for patients and families while supporting the development of future healthcare professionals.

“This agreement builds on an already strong and successful partnership with Keech Hospice and enables us to deepen our collaboration in research, education and practice.” – Dr Alison Tresidder, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health, Community and Life Sciences at the University of Bedfordshire

By bringing together two organisations with deep roots in the local area, this partnership represents a positive step for Luton and the surrounding region — benefitting patients, families, staff, students and the wider community.

Keech Hospice becomes a University Hospice

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