Farleigh Hospice has announced some redundancies and changes to its services in response to unprecedented financial pressures, to make the charity more resilient and in a stronger position for the future.
Years of inadequate NHS funding and declining legacy income, combined with recent increases in National Insurance and the minimum wage plus rising care costs and the cost of living, have led to significant challenges for the local charity.
Farleigh provides compassionate hospice care to adults living with life-limiting illnesses and their families across mid Essex, including Braintree, Burnham, Chelmsford, Halstead, Maldon and Witham. The charity also offers bereavement information and support to help children and adults to cope with their grief.
At any one time, Farleigh’s doctors, nurses, counsellors and therapists are supporting over 500 people to enjoy the best quality of life possible and to die with dignity, in the comfort of their own homes and at the hospice’s specialist Inpatient Unit in Broomfield, Chelmsford.
Farleigh, along with other hospices, had been given some additional funding from the government, but its use was restricted and so it could not be spent on these additional day-to-day running costs.
Farleigh’s Chief Executive, Michelle Kabia, said, “We have recently made some important improvements at the hospice, including the refurbishment of our 20-year-old kitchen and café and the addition of new rooms in our specialist Inpatient Unit, plus the launch of our new website and branding. All of these much-needed developments have been funded from government grants for capital expenditure. While we are very grateful for this additional money and the positive difference that it will make, it did not alleviate any of the financial pressures that our charity is facing.”
Farleigh has been developing a plan with its Board of Trustees to ensure a sustainable and secure future for its hospice services in mid Essex. This included a staff consultation to look at ways to cut costs which has resulted in 17 posts placed at risk of redundancy, with 11 competing for a reduced number of posts, consisting of back office support roles as well as front line staff roles.
With great regret, the charity is also reducing its bereavement services for adults, young people and children. These services will now focus on providing support to the families and carers of patients supported by Farleigh Hospice. Unfortunately, Farleigh does not receive any statutory funding for these services and recent trust and grant funding applications have been unsuccessful.
There has been no change to the care services provided to patients in their own homes and in the specialist Inpatient Unit.
Michelle Kabia, said, “We very much regret having to say goodbye to our valued and dedicated colleagues, but we need to take these necessary steps now to secure Farleigh’s future for years to come.
“This is a challenging time with difficult decisions that need to be made. But we are confident that, by doing so, we will be more resilient and in a stronger financial position to provide the best possible care and support to local people living with life-limiting illnesses, and their families.”
Sadly, Farleigh Hospice is not alone in facing financial challenges. According to Hospice UK, the charity that represents hospices across the UK, 6 in 10 hospices in England are planning or considering making cuts this year. Many essential services have already been reduced, with 380 beds out of use in English hospices and 160 of these permanently closed. This is reducing the capacity of the entire palliative and end of life care system, leading to more pressure on hospitals and other NHS services.
Charlie King, Director of External Affairs at Hospice UK said: “It is incredibly sad to see Farleigh Hospice having to make these difficult decisions.
“But they are not alone. Hospices across the country are facing rising costs and growing financial pressures, while demand for their care continues to increase.
“Hospices make a huge difference to people at the end of life and to those close to them. And the work of hospices is proven to take pressure off the NHS and save the taxpayer money. We are urgently working with government to secure the sustainable funding that hospices need for the future.”
Michelle Kabia will be joining colleagues from other hospices who have had to make cuts to staff and services at a special event in Westminster on Wednesday 15th April. It has been organised by Hospice UK to raise support from government ministers for its proposal for a new four-point plan for fair hospice funding to secure the future of hospice care across the UK.
For more information on the care provided by Farleigh Hospice and ways to support the charity, go to www.farleighhospice.org .
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Farleigh Hospice is a local charity that provides compassionate care and support for adults in mid Essex living with life-limiting illnesses, and their families. It also provides bereavement support to anyone in the community who needs it.
At any one time, Farleigh’s doctors, nurses, counsellors and therapists take care of the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of over 500 people. This can be in the comfort of their own homes or in the specialist Inpatient Unit at the hospice.
All of Farleigh’s much-needed services are provided free of charge.
In the 2024/25 financial year, Farleigh Hospice:
- received 23,360 calls to its Clinical Advice Line
- cared for 1,944 patients in the community
- cared for 256 patients in its Inpatient Unit at its hospice in Broomfield, Chelmsford
- provided specialist counselling to 454 adults and 197 young people
- received 850 referrals to its bereavement services.
Farleigh Hospice relies on the kind support of the local community to help fund its care through appeal donations, gifts in wills and money raised from fundraising activities.
You can donate now by calling 01245 457351 or by visiting www.farleighhospice.org .
Hospice UK is the national charity for hospice and end of life care, representing over 200 hospices across the UK. Hospice UK’s mission is to promote and protect hospice care for all who need it, for now and forever.
For more information, visit www.hospiceuk.org .
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