The cost of living crisis could have a devastating impact on hospices in the UK, and the people that they care for. Hospice UK is calling for immediate action from the UK Government to ensure that hospices can continue to deliver vital services to those in need.
For St Mary’s Hospice, Karl Connor, said: “The rising cost of everything, including energy, has a detrimental impact for all charities because not only do our costs go up, but it’s harder for many of our supporters to find the money to support us. So, costs rise and revenues flatten or even decrease.
“Hospices provide care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year — where some of the other businesses supported under the Government’s scheme will be closed and have things turned off some of the time, we don’t have that option.
“We are fortunate at St Mary’s in that we’re tied into a fixed price energy deal at the moment. Ensuring that we are able to meet the costs when we come to the end of that deal will involve trying to increase income generation by attracting new donations. We’re also working on ways in which we can reduce consumption, which has an environmental as well as a cost benefit.
Cumbrian MP Tim Farron champions hospices: “The outstanding care they provide to loved ones who are reaching the end of their lives is so utterly vital.” And has called on the Government “to do all you can support hospices during these unprecedented difficult times.”
Karl continues: “Mr Farron is right about the level of funding Hospice’s get from Government. It fluctuates slightly each year, but on average we are able to cover around a fifth of our operating costs from Government funding. This year that’s 22% — which leaves us needing to raise another £2.2m.
“At the same time, we know that demand for our services is increasing and will continue to increase, and we want to do more to help more people, hence launching new services like our Dementia service.
“We rely on the support of our community to do that and every single pound counts — so whether you’re jumping out of a plane, walking up a mountain, buying something new-to-you in one of our shops or even having some cake at our Orangery, you are contributing to making sure we can look after patients and their families.
“There is a wider point in all of this, which is being brought into sharp focus by the cost-of-living crisis, and that is a question of if relying on the kindness and generosity of our communities is the right way to fund care for those coming to the end of their lives?”
For more information please visit Hospice UK and click here to find out how St Mary’s is funded and ways you can get involved from volunteering to sponsoring a nurse.