Fair Funding for Hospices – A Day of Action at Westminster

On Wednesday 15 April we joined hospice leaders and staff from across England who, like us, have been forced to make financial cuts or reduce services, for a Day of Action at Westminster. 

Our Chief Executive, Giles Tomsett, and Clinical Nurse Specialist, Caroline Collins, joined 24 other hospices to call on the Government to implement Hospice UK’s four-point plan for fair hospice funding, to safeguard against further service cuts, giving hospices the ability to plan ahead to meet the growing costs and need they continue to face.  

During the event Caroline joined three other clinical representatives and Hospice UK to deliver a letter to the Prime Minister. Hospices also met with MPs to highlight the impact of the hospice funding crisis and obtain political backing for sustainable long term funding for the sector.

Giles said:

“Adults and children whose lives have been touched by hospice care know how vital it is. Hospices provide free, essential support to thousands of people every year, yet many are now facing impossible decisions about cutting services. 

“Hospices will always be charities rooted in their local communities, and we are incredibly grateful for the fundraising support that helps sustain our services. But communities cannot do this alone. We are asking the Government to match that commitment with fair, sustainable funding, so fewer people miss out on the specialist end of life care they need.” 

Across England, surging costs have led to many hospice services being cut, despite an increasing need as people continue to live longer and with more complex needs: 

• Hospice UK reports that 75% of hospices are currently running a deficit*. 

• Nearly six out of ten hospices have either already made cuts to frontline services or are considering doing so*.  

• It is estimated that nearly 1 in 3 adults who need palliative care miss out on the support they need**.  

• In 2023, it was estimated that the need for adult palliative care would rise by 25% by 2048**. 

*Source: Hospice UK’s Financial Benchmarking Survey. **Source: Marie Curie.