Hospice Funding Crisis: 300 Beds Closed in England
Hospice leaders in England are sounding the alarm about a critical funding shortage that has resulted in approximately 300 inpatient beds being closed or taken out of use across the country’s 170 hospices. The crisis stems from insufficient funding and staff shortages, threatening the sustainability of end-of-life care services.
Currently, only about a third of hospice funding comes from the National Health Service (NHS), with the remaining two-thirds relying on donations, fundraising, and charity shops. This funding model has become increasingly unsustainable, with hospice leaders warning that income from the health service has not kept pace with rising operational costs.
Hospice UK, the sector’s representative organization, is calling for an urgent government funding package of £110 million to prevent further service cuts. Annette Alcock, the organization’s director of programmes, highlighted that the current funding and commissioning model is “acting as a huge cap” on hospice capabilities.
The financial pressures are multifaceted. Hospices are facing challenges including:
– Potential increases in employer national insurance contributions
– Ongoing staff shortages
– Rising operational costs
– Limited NHS funding
Alcock emphasized that with better funding and commissioning, hospices could provide significantly more care, particularly in community settings where most hospice care is actually delivered. She stressed the potential for hospices to do more for patients and support the NHS if financial constraints are addressed.
The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges the situation, noting that they are exploring ways to financially support hospices and ensure their sustainability. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has indicated that a finance package may be announced before Christmas.
Hospice leaders suggest that approximately £100 million would help stabilize their financial situation through the end of next year and cover increased national insurance costs. However, they also note that more substantial funding would be necessary to meaningfully improve care quality.
The funding crisis comes at a time of increased focus on end-of-life care, particularly in light of ongoing debates about assisted dying. Many argue that the priority should be enhancing the quality of end-of-life care to provide patients with more informed choices.
The current situation is critical: out of 2,200 total hospice beds in England, 300 are currently closed or out of use, with the number continuing to grow. Without immediate intervention, this could significantly impact the ability of hospices to provide essential care for patients in their most vulnerable moments.
Hospice UK continues to advocate for comprehensive financial support, emphasizing the vital role these organizations play in providing compassionate, specialized end-of-life care across communities in England.
