Important update

Reduced statutory NHS funding, falling charitable income from fundraising and trading activities and an increase in costs from Minimum Wage and National Insurance contributions means our services are under significant pressure.

We have already taken action to reduce what we can control, cutting £1,035,000 in expenditure this year alone. However, we are still left with a £750,000 gap to fill before the end of the financial year.

Hospices like ours have worked for years within a 30/70 funding model, reliant on charitable giving to fund more than two thirds of our services. But with rising costs and a decline in donations, the situation has become critical.

While headlines often mention the “lack of sustainable funding for hospices,” the real impact on patients and families is not widely understood.

Already, the effects are being felt. We have had to reduce the number of open beds on our Inpatient Unit from 12 to 8, directly because of lack of funding. Yet demand is growing. We have waiting lists, and we know every day someone waits is a day too many. People living with a life-limiting conditions deserve timely, compassionate care in the place of their choice, and we remain deeply concerned for those unable to access this support.

We have formally raised these concerns with commissioners on behalf of our patients and families. We expect to hear in October what funding we will receive for next year, and we hope the seriousness of the situation will be recognised.

Looking ahead, we anticipate the shortfall could grow to £1.1m next year unless sustainable solutions are found. We eagerly await the response from commissioners.

Our heartfelt thanks, as always, goes to our incredible team of staff and volunteers whose skill, passion and commitment to the care we provide and the patients and families we support remains unwavering.

In the meantime, we want to thank you, our supporters, volunteers, and community for standing with us. Your kindness, encouragement, and generosity have always been the backbone to this hospice. In the coming weeks, we will be launching an urgent fundraising appeal, and we will need your support more than ever to ensure our care continues for everyone who needs it.

You can help us change this.

Together, we can protect hospice care now, and for the future.