Hospices facing financial ruin, warn charity bosses

Hospices are in crisis and their financial stability is at a critical point, leaders have warned.

- JANE KIRBY

Hospice UK, which represents more than 200 organisations across the UK, said the sector’s finances are in their worst state for 20 years.

At least a fifth of hospices have cut their services in the last year or are planning to do so, according to the national charity. This means inpatient beds are being cut, staff are being made redundant and community services are being restricted, with fewer visits to dying patients in their own homes.

Pressure on hospices has been growing, according to Hospice UK, which says “modest” state funding has not kept pace with increasing running costs. It is now urging the public to write to their local MP calling for increased government support.

Toby Porter, chief executive of Hospice UK, said: “Too many hospices are in crisis. The small and wildly variable amount of state funding they receive has failed to keep pace with rising costs.

“Many hospices are therefore running deficits which can only mean one thing – more cuts to essential care services, or even service closures. We’re already seeing redundancies at some major hospices, usually those serving communities in more deprived parts of the UK, where charitable fundraising is harder. At Hospice UK, we fear more will follow.”

Mr Porter said “the timing couldn't be worse”, with demand for end-of-life care increasing.