Vital services for people with a life-limiting illness could be cut as a North East hospice struggles to cope with growing financial pressures.
For 36 years, St Cuthbert’s Hospice in County Durham has been providing care for local people diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and those approaching the end of their life, as well as bereaved families. In the last year alone, the charity cared for over 1,000 people both in the hospice itself and out in the community.
But now around 28 staff from across the organisation are at risk of redundancy and vital services face closure as the charity must raise £3.8m to manage an increasing gap in its finances. Failure to do so, could see 250 people unable to access care from the charity.
Paul Marriott, CEO of St Cuthbert’s Hospice, said: “St Cuthbert’s Hospice offers a safety net of care to people living with life-limiting illnesses. To people living with cancer, motor-neurone disease, dementia and chronic heart failure. I am so sad to think that this safety net may have to be pulled from them.”
A steering group including NHS commissioners and other partner organisations have been in urgent talks to find a sustainable funding model for the hospice. Whilst the outcome of these ongoing negotiations would mean the hospice can continue to provide its in-patient services, a range of further vital services may need to be reduced.
Paul said: “In the recent debate on Assisted Dying, there was a huge focus by nearly everyone who spoke on both sides of the debate on the importance of good palliative and end of life care. It is a speciality that is so valued by those who need and use it, and yet it still relies on charitable funding for its delivery. What we offer is not just nice to have. It is something that should be accessible to all. We each matter to the end our days.
“If these services are forced to close, around 250 less people will receive a service from us next year. We know the need for our services is increasing and so it is particularly distressing to think we might have to reduce these in-demand services still further.
St Cuthbert’s Hospice remains fully committed to providing compassionate end-of-life care to local people, and their families, where and when they need it.
Paul added: “We are pleased that the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and our partners at the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust have stepped in to help us to at least keep our In-Patient beds open. We now need people to go the extra mile and help us keep our other services running.”
The hospice sector is facing a financial crisis nationally with income received from government not growing in line with inflation. Other hospices across the UK have announced planned job cuts after facing the same soaring financial pressures and lack of central funding.
The additional pressure of the cost-of-living crisis and increasing reliance on donations has also added to financial pressures. It has been widely reported that the increase in National Insurance has been a significant blow to a sector already struggling.
St Cuthbert’s Hospice must raise £3.8m with around 42% of that income coming from commissioning. The charity employs 124 staff, around half of which work in clinical, front-line care or bereavement services.
Hospice UK, the national charity for hospice and end of life care, has called on the government for £110m of new funding to prevent further cuts over the next year.
Angela Lamb, Chairman of St Cuthbert’s Hospice said: “For 36 years we have been caring for those who need us. It is heart-breaking that there is a real risk that we might have to close much-needed services. We know how unsettling this will be for people in our community who are currently facing a terminal illness and don’t know where to turn. We recognise that this period of uncertainty for our workforce will also affect the wellbeing of our staff and we’re doing all we can to support them at this time. Whilst this decision has been very difficult to make, the long-term future of St Cuthbert’s Hospice is at its heart.”
As the Hospice faces the challenging decision to reduce services, it is urging anyone who is able to support the Hospice to consider making a contribution.
Laura Barker, Head of Income Generation, said: “Our Hospice was built on the kindness of our community, and it is thanks to this continued support that we have been able to serve so many families. Now, more than ever, we ask our community to help us sustain this vital service for generations to come. Whether through a one-off donation, joining our lottery, becoming a regular donor, or leaving a gift in your Will, every act of generosity will help to secure the future of St Cuthbert’s Hospice and make sure we can continue to provide care to those who need us.”
If you are able to donate to the Hospice please visit www.stcuthbertshospice.com, call 0191 386 1170 or email hello@stcuthbertshospice.com
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View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/county-durham-hospice-facing-cuts-30563860
