Leader of West Norfolk Hospice says long-term funding plan needed for sector
Hospice UK, says "modest" state funding has not kept pace with increasing running costs
The woman from a hospice in West Norfolk is telling us a national funding plan's needed to secure the sector's long-term future.
After research from the group, Hospice UK, shows that sector's finances are in their worst state for 20 years- with at least a fifth having to cut their services in the last year.
"Something that will put greater strain on them and will be more expensive"
Nicola Ellis is chief executive at 'The Norfolk Hospice Tapping', who are based near King's Lynn:
"Hospices rely heavily on fundraising and we're lucky because we have enormous support from our local communities, who recognise the important work we do and give tirelessly to us.
"The real question is, is it right that end of the life care is dependent on charities and why isn't the Government recognising that there has to be a change in how hospices are funded, if the sector's going to survive this.
"If we're not able to continue our work, all of that has to be mopped up by acute hospitals and community care. Something that will put greater strain on them and will be more expensive".
The research in more detail:
Pressure on hospices has been growing, according to Hospice UK, which says "modest" state funding has not kept pace with increasing running costs.
It is now urging the public to write to their local MP calling for increased Government support.
Toby Porter, chief executive of Hospice UK, said: "Too many hospices are in crisis. The small and wildly variable amount of state funding they receive has failed to keep pace with rising costs.
"Many hospices are therefore running deficits which can only mean one thing - more cuts to essential care services, or even service closures.
"We're already seeing redundancies at some major hospices, usually those serving communities in more deprived parts of the UK, where charitable fundraising is harder. At Hospice UK, we fear more will follow."
Mr Porter said "the timing couldn't be worse", with demand for end-of-life care increasing.
He added: "When hospices cut services, patients are pushed back into the NHS, ultimately costing the taxpayer more.
"We know that our health and social care services in the UK are under immense strain, yet thousands of hospice staff are desperate to help, if only hospices could be properly funded."
"Many people are dying in avoidable pain"
Emma May Ward, clinical nurse specialist for Marie Curie said: "Every day my team and I see the devastating impacts of overloaded and underfunded end-of-life care services in hospices and delivered in people's homes.
"Increasingly, we are finding families at crisis point, distressed and not knowing where to turn, often forced to call 999 or go to A&E when they don't need or want to.
"Too many people are falling through the cracks, and too many people are dying in avoidable pain."
"We are going to grip the social care crisis"
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: "We want a society where every person, their families, and carers, receive high quality, compassionate care, from diagnosis through to end of life.
"The Government is going to shift the focus of healthcare out of the hospital and into the community. We recognise that the care system, including hospices, will play a vital role in doing this.
"We are going to grip the social care crisis, starting with the workforce by delivering a new deal for care workers.
"We will also take steps to create a National Care Service underpinned by national standards, delivering consistency of care across the country."