Hospices face worsening financial crisis with deficits doubling

Hospices in England are facing a deepening financial crisis, with deficits doubling to more than 70 million pounds in the last financial year, according to the sector's representative body, Hospice UK. The organisation says urgent action is needed as 33 hospices have already made cuts or are planning them to bed numbers and jobs.

One example is a hospice in Southport, where the number of beds has been halved and around 10% of staff have been made redundant. The hospice also provides home visits and telephone support, but these services are being reduced. Ian, a patient with advanced cancer, described the difference the hospice made to his life. He said he had lost all hope before coming through the doors, but the staff's dedication and passion brought that hope back. However, he expressed bewilderment at the funding situation, saying he could not fathom why vital services were being cut while arguments over funding continued.

The financial pressures stem from the fact that the NHS funds only about a quarter of hospice budgets, and that funding has not kept pace with inflation and rising employer costs. The rest must be raised through community fundraising, which is no longer enough to cover the shortfall. Hospice leaders warn that cutting beds and home visits will push patients back into hospitals, which is more expensive and less appropriate for end-of-life care.

The Department of Health responded by saying it has made the biggest investment in hospices in a generation and that support would be available during current pressures. But for patients like Ian, the reality is that services are being reduced, including telephone support, at a time when they need them most.