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Hospice leaders in England have warned of an urgent need for government funding due to the closure of around 300 inpatient beds. According to Hospice UK, which represents 170 hospices, there are insufficient funds and staff to keep the beds permanently operate and enough for the remaining ones in use. Of the money hospices receive, only one-third comes from the NHS and the rest needs to be generated from donations, charity shops and fundraising.
Annette Alcock, Director of Programs from Hospice UK, said that financial sustainability and the way hospices are commissioned is a “huge cap” on what hospices can achieve. She also added that staff shortages are a considerable underlying pressure. Hospice UK is calling on the government to provide £110m of new funding to prevent further cuts over the next year, arguing that hospices can provide much more than what they are providing under better conditions.
The debate over assisted dying has raised more attention on hospices, which provide end-of-life care for patients to make more informed choices. Hospices warn that employer national insurance contributions will increase, paralysing hospices who provide community and in-patient care. The Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said they were “looking at how we can financially support hospices next year to ensure they are sustainable,” after Health Secretary Wes Streeting revealed that a finance package will be announced before Christmas.
To date, hospice leaders have warned of a financial crisis due to income from the health service lagging behind rising costs leading to some hospices announcing cuts to clinical jobs. Hospices UK says the current number of closed or unused beds is now at 300 and increasing, which is causing rising concerns
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