Difficult service changes announced to protect core end-of-life care
Garden House Hospice Care has announced the outcome of a recent consultation into the future of some of its services, confirming that a number of charitable-funded services will close in order to protect essential hospice care for the community.
Our charity, which has supported thousands of patients and families for more than 30 years, is facing an exceptionally challenging financial period, reflecting pressures being felt by hospices and charities across the UK. Rising costs, increasing demand for care and limited funding mean that from April 2026 onwards the Hospice is facing a projected funding gap of £1.1 million.
It costs the Hospice £8.5 million a year to provide our current range of services. We receive 29% commissioned funding from the NHS - leaving 71% charitable income to raise each year.
Despite extensive efforts to avoid this outcome, the Hospice has taken the difficult decision to close several services that are funded entirely through charitable income. These include Compassionate Neighbours, the Wellbeing Hubs, the Admiral Nurse (Dementia Service), Healthy Memory Café, the Minibus and Transport Service, and Schools, Colleges and Youth Outreach work.
Lisa Hunt, CEO of Garden House Hospice Care, said:
“These are not decisions we ever wanted to make. Every option was carefully explored, but to protect the very reason this Hospice exists - to deliver specialist, compassionate end-of-life care - we had to take action now to ensure we can continue to support patients and families both today and in the future.
“The support from the community has been incredible - at the end of last year we launched a Crisis Appeal which has to date raised £219,000 in donations. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and the belief you continue to show in us. Sadly, despite this incredible support, it isn’t enough.”
The services closing have played an important role in supporting people earlier in their journey, reducing isolation and strengthening community connections. While it is heartbreaking to see them come to an end, the Hospice has emphasised that their impact should be measured by the difference they made over many years.
“These services matter deeply,” Lisa Hunt added. “Built with care and commitment, they have touched thousands of lives over many years by reducing isolation, strengthening community connections and extending hospice values far beyond our clinical services. While it is heartbreaking to see them close, their value is not defined by their end but by the difference they made while they existed. That legacy will endure, and we are immensely proud of what these services achieved and of the people who delivered them with such compassion.
“Our patients and service users remain our highest priority. For those affected by service closures, teams are working closely with individuals, families, carers and volunteers to ensure people feel supported and are appropriately signposted to alternative sources of help.
“We also want to acknowledge the people behind these services. Dedicated colleagues have been directly affected by these decisions, and we want to express our sincere thanks to everyone who has given their energy, expertise and compassion to these services and to the Hospice as a whole. Their contribution has made a lasting difference to patients, families and the wider community, and we are deeply grateful for everything they have given.”
Alongside these closures, we have made changes and efficiencies across services and back-office functions to improve financial sustainability. These steps allow our charity to protect its core, NHS-commissioned services, which remain open and include the Inpatient Unit, Hospice at Home, Care Home Support, Rehab and Wellbeing, Frailty Service, and Emotional and Psychological Support.
By taking these decisions now, we are placing ourselves in a more sustainable position to ensure we can continue to care for future generations.
We have also reaffirmed our commitment to campaigning for fair and sustainable hospice funding, working with MPs, government and the NHS to protect specialist end-of-life care.
“We know this will be difficult news for many in our community,” Lisa Hunt said. “We are deeply thankful to everyone who has stood by us - our supporters, volunteers and partners. Your support has always been vital, and it remains so now.”
To read our official statement, or to support through donations, visit the links below or call us on 01462 679540.