£29,000 a day. That’s how much Princess Alice Hospice has to raise from its community every day of the year to continue providing its vital palliative and end of life care services to local people.
As Hospice Care Week 2026 highlights unequal access facing people at the end of life, Princess Alice Hospice wants everybody in their local area to be able to receive the hospice care they deserve. But right now, 1 in 3 people don’t get the care they need at the end of their lives.
This Hospice Care Week, 5 -11 October 2026, Princess Alice Hospice joined UK hospices to say: ‘Don’t leave hospice care to chance.’ Nationally, government funding covers only 40% of the cost of care provided by adult hospices. For Princess Alice Hospice, that figure is just 23%. This means they rely heavily on their local communities to raise the money needed to provide vital care. Local communities give generously to support their hospices, from taking part in fundraising events and challenges to volunteering their time and making donations. This generosity is what helps hospices provide vital care every day, and Princess Alice Hospice is grateful.
Nigel Seymour, Chief Executive of Princess Alice Hospice, says: ‘We simply couldn’t do what we do without the incredible support of our local community. In my 20+ years with the Hospice, I can’t remember a more challenging year. Our costs are rising, more people need us, and our community’s ability to donate or raise funds is being stretched further, too. We’re so grateful for their support – whether it’s a gift in a Will or a visit to our High Street shops, playing our Lottery, volunteering, or taking on a sporting challenge, it all makes a vital difference. We urge the government to provide a fairer and more sustainable funding package to us – and all hospices – so we can continue to serve local people who need us in the years to come.’
Nationally, nearly 6 in 10 hospices have either made or are considering cuts to frontline services, meaning in many areas the chance of being able to access hospice care is shrinking. Hospices are underfunded, underutilised and under more pressure than ever. But one thing that is certain is rising demand for their care. Hospice UK has found that up to 90% of people who died would benefit from palliative care, and this will only increase.
Nigel Seymour says:
‘The idea for our hospice was a response to an urgent need in our community over 40 years ago. Today, that need is greater than ever, as are the financial challenges we face. This is a rallying cry to ask our incredible community to do what they can to continue supporting our work.
Everyone deserves high-quality hospice care, whoever they are, and wherever they live, and we need to ensure our vital care will be here for local people for many more years to come.’
Support Princess Alice Hospice: www.pah.org.uk/how-you-can-help
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About
Hospice Care Week Hospice Care Week took place 5-11 October 2026. This year’s theme was “Don’t leave hospice care to chance”, highlighting the importance of ensuring everyone can access high-quality hospice care.
Key statistics and references
• Nearly 1 in 3 people who need palliative care miss out on the support they need – stat from Marie Curie, cited 2026.
• On average, government funding covers only around 40% of the cost of care provided by adult hospices and around one third of the cost for children’s hospices
• Nearly 6 in 10 hospices have either made or are considering cuts to frontline services – these findings come from Hospice UK’s financial benchmarking report for the quarter ending 31 December 2025, based on a survey of 107 hospices
• Up to 90% of people who die would benefit from palliative care – data from Marie Curie – How many people need palliative care? Updated estimates of palliative care need across the UK, 2017-2021. Data and evidence briefing. [cited 2025 Oct 23]
Princess Alice Hospice: For Excellence. For Compassion. For People. For Living.
For more than 40 years, Princess Alice Hospice has provided free, high-quality, specialist end of life care to tens of thousands of people across the London Boroughs of Kingston and Richmond and large parts of Surrey. Today, Hospice nurses, doctors and other specialist staff are looking after hundreds of patients at any one time, in their homes, care settings or on the In-Patient Unit.
The Hospice’s vision is that everyone in our communities should have the best possible care and support before, during and after death. With care and support that is right for them, more people can live well, die well and grieve well.
Each year, it costs £13 million to provide our free, vital services. With just 23% NHS funding provided, the remaining 77% is raised through legacies, fundraising, selling pre-loved items in our shops, and investments. It is the amazing support of our generous supporters and dedicated volunteers that allows our work to continue.
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