Rowcroft Hospice was placed at the heart of a vital national conversation about death, dying, and the future of palliative care in the UK, following a visit from BBC News.
As MPs continued to debate the details of the bill, the BBC selected Rowcroft to showcase the impact of hospice care as part of a high-profile news feature on the BBC’s national 6pm and 10pm news on Monday 16 June, as well as on its Radio 4 Today programme and on the BBC website.
BBC Health Editor Hugh Pym and his team spent two days at Rowcroft – on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 June – filming in the Inpatient Unit and in the community to shine a light on the difference that high quality hospice care can make.
“As the nation turns its attention to the Assisted Dying Bill, Rowcroft is proud to fly the flag for hospices across the UK,” said Mark Hawkins, CEO of Rowcroft Hospice. “We were honoured to show the realities of palliative and end-of-life care and highlight how this care transforms people’s final days with dignity, compassion and respect.”
The coverage came ahead of a key Commons vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill that would allow terminally ill adults with six months or less to live the right to medically end their lives in England and Wales. The Commons vote took place on Friday 20 June when the bill progressed to its next parliamentary stage.
Rowcroft Hospice – like the wider hospice sector – does not take a position either for or against assisted dying, recognising the profound complexity and sensitivity of this issue, and respecting the wide range of views amongst its patients, families, staff, volunteers, trustees, and the wider community.
The hospice states that this is a matter for society to decide through democratic processes in Parliament, and will continue to support all those in its care with compassion, dignity, and without judgment, whatever their views.
“We understand that people hold a range of deeply personal views on this issue,” said Mark. “Our role is not to campaign either for or against assisted dying. It’s to ensure that anyone facing the end of life receives the support they need. Whatever parliament decides, it’s vital that people are not forced to consider assisted dying due to a lack of adequate care provision.”
There is broad agreement – both in parliament and among the public – that hospices need stronger, more sustainable support, and that access to palliative and end-of-life care must be improved across the UK so that it’s equitable for all.
“Hospices are operating under intense financial pressure, and the current funding system is simply not sustainable,” added Mark. “We need a national commitment to fairer funding of palliative care across the country.”
Rowcroft supports more than 2,500 patients and their loved ones each year across South Devon, funded largely through local donations and charitable income. Like many hospices, it faces growing financial strain due to fragmented and inconsistent government funding, and an escalating demand for care.
“We’ve welcomed the government’s recent acknowledgment of the pressures facing hospices,” said Mark. “But real change means proper, long-term funding solutions. Hospices are an essential part of our healthcare system: they ease the pressure on the NHS, support families through the toughest times, and help people to live well until the end.”
The Assisted Dying Bill raises significant unanswered questions about the future role of hospices, should the law change.
“If assisted dying were to be legalised, hospices will need time, space and flexibility to determine their response,” said Mark. “A one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t work. Any implementation must allow hospices to act in accordance with their values, their staff and the needs of their local communities.
“We hope the BBC coverage will deepen the public’s understanding of hospice care. We’re incredibly proud of our teams who work with such compassion, skill and dedication. It was a genuine privilege to welcome the BBC and to help to shine a light on the vital role of hospices across the UK.”
Rowcroft has extended its heartfelt thanks to the patients, families and colleagues who took part in the filming to help portray the reality of hospice care to a national audience. In particular, Rowcroft extends it deepest gratitude to patient Jabez Huw Petherick and his family
Rowcroft patient Jabez Huw Petherick shared his story as part of the BBC filming
for so bravely and generously sharing their story as part of the coverage – helping to highlight the compassion, dignity and support at the heart of Rowcroft’s care. Since the recording, Jabez has sadly passed away – he and his family had kindly granted the BBC permission to share his words after his death, to pay tribute to the staff at Rowcroft.
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Lead Photo: BBC Health Editor Hugh Pym interviews Rowcroft nurse Joseph Priestley
About Rowcroft Hospice
It takes time, compassion, medical expertise and money to help patients with life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones to make the most of every day, but every year Rowcroft Hospice helps around 2,500 people in South Devon to do just that.
By providing comfort, support and specialist services, the hospice enables families to share precious moments when they are needed most – whether it’s a beautiful wedding, remarkable reunion or a simple thank you.
From Dartmouth to Dawlish and up onto Dartmoor, Rowcroft cares for 80% of its patients in their own homes with a team of community nurse specialists, social workers, and bereavement volunteers. The team also provides occupational therapy, physiotherapy, complementary therapy, spiritual care and music therapy, delivering a holistic approach tailored to individual needs.
Day and night, Rowcroft’s award-winning Hospice at Home team provide free specialist support to patients at home in their last few of weeks of life. The team helps to monitor and manage symptoms to enable patients to be comfortable and also offers support for loved ones, enabling carers to take much needed breaks. The service includes a dedicated telephone support line 24 hrs a day.
In Rowcroft’s 12-bedded Inpatient Unit in Torquay, the hospice’s team provides specialist care for patients whose complex needs cannot be met at home. Along with high quality health and social care, we also offer delicious homecooked meals and access to our beautiful gardens. The welcoming and homely environment helps patients and families to make the most of precious time together.
Rowcroft is an independent charity with around 75% of its funding derived from the incredible generosity of local people. The hospice team fully acknowledges the current challenging economic climate and is grateful for the local community’s continued support through these tough times; every pound raised makes a real difference.
With an increasingly ageing local population, the demand for Rowcroft’s care has never been greater. The charity currently cares for around one in three people with life-limiting illnesses across South Devon and has ambitious plans to expand its care to reach more people.
For more information, please visit www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk
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