Steve Smith, Chief Executive, of St Christopher’s and Declan Carroll, Chief Executive of North London Hospice comment on report:
Steve Smith, Chief Executive, of St Christopher’s, home of the modern hospice movement, says:
“This report confirms what we in the sector already know – hospices across the country are under increasing strain as a chronic underfunding collides with rapidly rising need. While parliament debates the Assisted Dying Bill, hospices are being forced to cut back frontline services. There is a clear lack of effective oversight of the independent hospice sector.
“At St Christopher’s we’ve managed to protect our services so far – but demand in south London alone jumped by 11% last year, and it’s only going to rise as our population ages and care shifts out of hospitals and into the community in line with the government’s approach.
“The details of the Modern Service Framework for palliative and end-of-life care still remain unclear, and many of our fellow hospices cannot wait much longer. We therefore need an urgent review of hospice funding now to ensure that no matter where people live, they receive the care they deserve at the end of life.”
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A statement from North London Hospice CEO, Declan Carroll
“There is an urgent need for reform to address the financial challenges that the independent adult hospice sector faces. The Department’s solution—the Modern Service Framework—is in the early stages of development, details are sketchy, and it is at least a year from being introduced. This is not good enough when so many hospices are announcing service cuts.”
These are the findings of the House of Commons report which was released yesterday and coincided with Hospice UK releasing its Financial Benchmarking report data showing that nearly 60% (57%) of hospices have made or are planning cuts to services.
Behind these statements and figures are people in real need – people we care for every day facing their most difficult days. According to the House of Commons report, “Too many patients spend their last days receiving palliative care in acute hospitals, which does not always achieve the best outcomes for patients nor represent value for money.” And yet the report goes on to say, “The Department and NHS England are not responding to the growing financial crisis in the adult hospice sector with the seriousness and urgency needed. The independent hospice sector is facing a serious financial situation that is already affecting patient care.”
Sadly, this is what we have been expecting. It comes at a time when demand for palliative and end-of-life care is rising, and lack of investment is creating unsustainable pressure. Our teams remain ready to deliver our vision of providing the best of life, at the end of life, for everyone. But we can only do that with a fair funding model.
It is heartbreaking to see hospices across the country making cuts to jobs and services. These are decisions no-one wants to make but the future of hospice care is fragile.
Time is running out and some hospices will have reduced capacity and services by the time the framework launches and subsequent funding is agreed. It has never been more important to secure a sustainable future for our sector and the time is now.
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