Hospice launches £240k fundraiser

The Myton Hospices recreated this photo from when the hospice first opened, at the launch of their new fundraiser

A hospice has launched an urgent appeal to raise £240,000 to tackle spiralling demand and costs, which are "at an all-time high".

The Myton Hospices launched the appeal at the Leamington Spa Town Hall on Tuesday, where they recreated a photo from 1982 when the hospice first opened.

According to the Warwickshire hospice, three out of five people on their waiting list for a bed die before they can access one.

The charity said £240,000 could fund the recruitment, training and salary for five registered nurses for a year, to help more people access a hospice bed.

Janine Coles wants to live out her final days at Myton Hospice but is concerned there will not be space

Myton said it was the only provider of hospice inpatient beds in Coventry and Warwickshire, with a spokesperson saying they were "acutely aware of the need for more" but were limited by funding constraints.

Demand for the inpatient units has increased by 11% in the last 12 months.

The charity said only 20% of its costs were covered by statutory funding and that annual costs were running at an all-time high of £14.3m, meaning it will need voluntary support of £11m this year.

Ruth Freeman, chief executive, said: "People who have experienced or witnessed the impact of being cared for in a hospice bed know just how important it is in controlling symptoms, such as pain and anxiety, by providing specialist, tailored support for patients and their families.

"Everyone has the right to a good death with their loved ones supported, and we need urgent help to ensure we can provide the people of Coventry and Warwickshire with the palliative and end of life care they need and deserve.”

Myton staff and supporters gathered in Leamington Spa to launch their appeal

'Waiting list'

Mum Janine Coles, 36, has terminal cancer and visits the hospice for pain management sessions.

But she is concerned there will not be a bed available for her when the time comes.

"This is where I want to be at the end of my life," she said. "I don't want to be at home, I don't want to be in a hospital bed. I would want to be here feeling a bit more comfortable."

She added: "I don't want any more people who want to be here but they can't because they're on this waiting list and they die before they get [the] chance."

Tom Cronin's wife, Katie, was looked after by Myton Hospices before she died at the age of 37

Myton supporter, Tom Cronin, commented following the death of his wife, Katie, aged 37: "In these situations, nothing you can do can ever make it better and the best outcome is to never need Myton.

"But Myton truly is the best place to be for everyone and I can’t imagine anywhere else doing a better job.

"The incredible doctors, nurses, volunteers and everyone involved took some of the pressure and angst out of the situation.

"The impact they had on me, my sons and the rest of our family is a legacy I’ll carry with me forever.”