The findings of a recent survey conducted by umbrella organisation Hospice UK says that rising costs and a precarious funding model is undermining the capacity of hospices to meet the demand for care. Hospices across the country responded to the survey, which revealed that more than two-thirds of hospices (71%) have seen costs rise faster than inflation in the past two years. And this is impacting the services they provide.
We currently have to raise in excess of £9 million each year to provide our services free of charge for patients and their families; we are able to do this because of the incredible support we receive locally and the unstinting hard work of our Income Generation teams.
However, it is no secret that being a charity in the current uncertain economic climate is difficult.
Almost three quarters (73%) of hospices surveyed have had their statutory income either cut or frozen over the past two years. This funding has remained frozen for more than half (56 per cent) of hospices surveyed.
For Myton, the financial support received from the government has not increased for several years, despite our costs increasing year on year. This inevitably puts pressures on budgets and the Income Generation teams who have to work harder to raise even more money each year.
Ruth Freeman, CEO at Myton, said:
It is disappointing but not surprising to see the results of Hospice UK’s survey – hospices are a vital service in their communities and it is worrying to think that some may not be able to support as many people because of funding pressures.
I am so proud that despite these pressures Myton has helped increasing numbers of people with life limiting and terminal illnesses and their families over the past few years, and we are working hard to ensure that this continues in years to come. We have also introduced new services across our three sites including our Fatigue and Breathlessness Programme and Living Well Programme which aim to help people earlier on in their diagnosis.
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