Surrey and Sussex caregivers have teamed up to show their support for hospices experiencing serious financial hardship. No fewer than 75% of centres in England are currently running a deficit, according to the sector’s national charity, Hospice UK.
St Catherine’s Hospice, Princess Alice Hospice, Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, Phyllis Tuckwell and Woking & Sam Beare Hospice and Wellbeing Care are all behind a Hospice UK campaign for fair funding from central government.
The charity’s four-point plan would enable hospices to plan ahead to meet growing costs and needs.
Giles Tomsett, CEO of St Catherine’s Hospice, near Crawley, represented the group at the Day of Action at Westminster in April.
“Those whose lives have been touched by hospice care know how vital it is,” he said. “Hospices will always be charities rooted in their local communities, and we are so grateful for the fundraising that helps to sustain our services.
“But communities cannot do this alone. We are asking the government to match that commitment with fair, sustainable funding, so fewer people miss out on the specialist end-of-life care they need.”
On average, UK adult hospices receive 27% of their total expenditure in statutory funding, while children’s hospices receive only 18%.
“We stand with all struggling hospices,” said Nigel Seymour, CEO of Princess Alice Hospice in Esher.
“The impact of cutting services can be devastating for people at the most vulnerable time of their lives. We want the government to fund hospices fairly, recognising their part in relieving the burden on the NHS.”
