Hospices unite in Westminster to call for urgent funding reform

Garden House Hospice Care is standing alongside Hospice UK and hospices from across the country today in a united call for urgent, fair, and sustainable funding for end-of-life care.

Following difficult service reductions earlier this year - driven by a funding model widely recognised as unsustainable - the Hertfordshire based Hospice is proud to be part of a national day of action in Westminster, amplifying the collective voice of the sector at a critical moment.

Lisa Hunt and Dr Sarah Bell attended the 'Day of Action' on behalf of Garden House Hospice Care

CEO Lisa Hunt and Medical Director Dr Sarah Bell are joining colleagues from across the UK to deliver a letter to the Prime Minister and meet with MPs, ensuring decision-makers fully understand the urgent reality facing hospice care today.

Hospices across England are facing unprecedented financial pressure at the very moment demand is rising sharply due to an ageing population and increasingly complex care needs.

• 75% of hospices are currently running a deficit
• Nearly 6 in 10 have made or are considering cuts to frontline services
• 380 hospice beds are out of use
• Community care visits have dropped by over 20%
• Nearly 1 in 3 people miss out on palliative care.

“We must be visible, vocal and united”

Lisa Hunt, CEO of Garden House Hospice Care, said:
“Our voice is strongest when we stand together - and today we must be visible, vocal and united in calling for change. Hospices play an essential role not only within the healthcare system, but in the lives of people facing a terminal diagnosis and their families.

“Today is a moment of both pride and urgency. I am proud to stand alongside colleagues from across the sector, but we cannot leave without progress. When nearly 60% of hospices are struggling to keep services running, it is clear this is not coincidence - it is a systemic failure.

“For too long, hospices have been sustained by the generosity of their communities. But that model is no longer enough. Our communities cannot carry this responsibility any further - it must now be recognised and funded as a core part of healthcare.

“Every day, our teams provide dignity, compassion and expert care at the most critical time in someone’s life. There is only one chance to get end-of-life care right. This is governments one chance to get it right. If hospices are not there, there is no alternative that can fill that gap.

“We are here today to say clearly: this cannot continue. Hospices have gone under the radar for too long. The government must recognise the value, expertise and impact of hospice care - and act now. Because if action is delayed, it will simply be too late for the hospice sector as a whole.”

For patients like Roger, aged 93, hospice care is life-changing.

After losing mobility and hope during a prolonged hospital stay, his referral to Garden House Hospice Care marked a turning point. Within two days, he was walking again. Today, he lives independently with renewed confidence.

“My mindset changed dramatically just the first night I was in the Hospice. My whole attitude to life changed as quickly as that. I'm 93 now and I figure, well, I'm going to enjoy life while I can.

“I'm left speechless that any government have got such short-term thinking, because they choose not to accept that hospices provide a tremendous service, which the NHS cannot provide. It relieves the NHS of a lot of care and both the patient and the patient's family get a tremendous benefit from it.

“I cannot understand why any government can't see that. I don't blame one particular political party - none of them has thought through what the NHS should be.”

In a personal message to the Prime Minister, Roger added:

“This care has enabled me to live independently with confidence. That is why I’m asking you to back fair hospice funding.”

Roger received care from Garden House Hospice Care in 2024 and now lives 'independently with confidence'

Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK said: 
“Hospice care services across the UK are under pressure like never before. Nearly six in ten hospices have already made or are considering cuts to their frontline services.

“Desperately needed hospice beds are shut as hospices can’t afford to staff them, and specialist community visits in people’s homes are decreasing when they should be going up. This all pushes more pressure back on to an already overloaded system.

“We’re bringing hospices who have already made cuts to Westminster to remind the government that the people needing hospice care can’t wait. We must act now to prevent further cuts to the care that people need at the end of their lives.

“We’re calling on the government to take urgent action by agreeing to implement Hospice UK's four-point plan for fair hospice funding, including fully resourcing the specialist palliative care we deliver.

“The Government can secure a first major step towards this by committing £112.5 million in additional recurring revenue funding. This would prevent more hospices having to make devastating cuts and allow them to continue delivering the vital care that patients and families rely on.”

Garden House Hospice Care knows firsthand the difficult decisions needed in the face of unsustainable funding.

Earlier this year, despite taking decisive and sustained action to reduce costs and protect frontline services, we faced unavoidable financial pressures and had no choice but to close solely charitable funded services. These were not marginal efficiencies - they were difficult decisions made to protect core care. Demand is continuing to increase, yet capacity is shrinking - urgent government intervention is needed for all hospices to ensure more people don’t miss out on the care and dignity they deserve at the end of life.