Centra to Close Bedford Hospice House in April

Nonprofit group hopes to partner with new provider to keep facility open.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Centra Health has announced the closure of its Bedford Hospice House in Virginia, citing financial concerns. The hospice house, which opened in 2011 after a community fundraising effort, will revert to Bedford County ownership after Centra departs in April. The Friends of Bedford Hospice House nonprofit is working with the county to explore options to keep the facility operational by partnering with another hospice provider.

Why it matters

The Bedford Hospice House is one of the few residentially-styled, free-standing hospice facilities in Virginia, providing an important community resource for end-of-life care. Its closure would leave a gap in services for the local area, prompting the nonprofit group to seek a new partner to maintain operations.

The details

The Bedford Hospice House opened in 2011 after a community fundraising effort that raised over $1.6 million. It was forced to close shortly after opening due to regulatory changes, but reopened in 2017 and has since served 274 patients. Centra Health, which has operated the facility, cited financial concerns as the reason for the upcoming closure in April 2026.

  • The Bedford Hospice House opened in 2011.
  • The facility was forced to close shortly after opening in 2011 due to regulatory changes.
  • The hospice house reopened in early 2017.
  • Since reopening in 2017, the Bedford Hospice House has served 274 patients.
  • Centra Health has announced the Bedford Hospice House will close in April 2026.

The players

Centra Health

The healthcare organization that currently operates the Bedford Hospice House, but has announced it will be closing the facility in April 2026 due to financial concerns.

Friends of Bedford Hospice House

A nonprofit group that initially owned the Bedford Hospice House and has raised nearly $500,000 to provide ongoing support since 2017. They are now working with Bedford County to explore options to partner with another hospice provider to keep the facility open.

Bedford County

The county that will regain ownership of the Bedford Hospice House after Centra Health departs in April 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Having the house in Bedford is such a wonderful expression of care and compassion from the entire community for those facing end-of-life concerns.”

— Rev. Dr. Dawn Compton, Pastor, Main Street United Methodist Church (wset.com)

What’s next

The Friends of Bedford Hospice House nonprofit is working with the Bedford County Board of Supervisors to explore options to partner with another hospice provider and keep the facility open after Centra Health departs in April 2026.

The takeaway

The closure of the Bedford Hospice House would leave a significant gap in end-of-life care services for the local community, highlighting the importance of residential, free-standing hospice facilities. The community's efforts to raise funds and support the hospice house demonstrate the value placed on this resource, and the nonprofit group's work to find a new operator underscores the commitment to maintaining this vital service.