Survey shows that 300 hospice beds in England are not being used due to lack of funding
The UK hospice care sector is urgently calling for £110 million in emergency government funding to avoid further cuts.
Hospice UK, representing over 200 hospices nationwide, emphasized the urgent need for funding to prevent further closures.
These closures amount to 14% of the sector’s 2,200-bed capacity in England, resulting in 110,000 lost days and nights of care.
To stabilize the sector and prevent additional cuts, Hospice UK has appealed to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) for £110 million in emergency funding.
Annette Alcock, the director of programmes at Hospice UK, stated, “This survey highlights the untapped potential of hospices if fundamental challenges such as funding and staffing are addressed.”
Hospices play a vital role in providing end-of-life and palliative care, relieving pressure on the NHS. However, inadequate funding and non-alignment with NHS pay structures severely limit the sector’s capabilities.
The recent rise in employer national insurance contributions has further strained hospices, described as a significant financial burden.
Elinor Eustace, CEO of St. Giles Hospice in Lichfield, expressed the challenges faced, including the reduction of inpatient beds due to financial constraints.
Unlike NHS palliative care, which is fully state-funded, hospices rely heavily on charitable donations to sustain their services.
