A Peterborough hospice says its vital work needs greater recognition
It's as concerns grow over future funding for the sector
A Peterborough hospice is telling us about the rising difficulty of providing care in the area.
It's comes as national body Hospice UK have been raising the alarm over funding of the sector, and how it may look in the future.
It needs more recognition and it needs a spotlight shining on it
Together for Short Lives said hospices are being forced to rely on donations to prop up services as it called on ministers to increase ring-fenced NHS funding for children's hospices.
A new poll of 30 hospices in England found almost nine in 10 expect their costs to exceed their income this financial year.
The charity warned seriously ill children may die without accessing end-of-life care, symptom management and emotional and psychological support as a result.
A report from the charity states inflation, workforce shortages, and rising demand for care are stretching services to "breaking point".
The report estimates costs for hospices have risen by 34% since 2021.
We want to be there for as many people as we can
Sophie Brew, from Sue Ryder in Peterborough, said:
"It can have a huge impact on staff morale, particularly I think because we are all so proud of what we do and we all want to be here so much. It's really sad when we are feeling like we can't achieve what we need to for patients."
"The importance and the difference that hospice care makes to people's end of life care. I think that needs more recognition and it needs a spotlight shining on it really."
"We want to be there for as many people as we can, so we see that our hospice services should reach as wider a community as we can."
"There have been waiting lists, but we work really quickly to try and get the right people in our beds when they need us the most."
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:
"The Government recognises the incredible work that children and young people's hospices do across the country."
"We are investing £100 million to improve hospices facilities, and a further £26 million specifically for children's hospices this year, the biggest investment in hospices in a generation."
"We are also working to make sure the palliative and end of life care sector is sustainable in the long-term and are determined to shift more healthcare out of hospitals and into the community through our Plan for Change."