Hospice funding plea after jobs and services cut

Laura Barker says community support is important, but more government investment is needed

The CEO of a hospice which has laid off staff and cut some services has called for more support for the sector from the government.

St Cuthbert's Hospice, in Durham, has reduced its community outreach and dementia services in September and laid off three members of staff after grant funding ended.

CEO Laura Barker said the facility, in Park House Road, was facing a funding "imbalance" and had become more reliant on donations, with only 42% of its money coming from the government.

The Department of Health and Social Care said it recognised the "incredible work" of hospices and that it was working to make the sector more sustainable through its 10-year plan.

Last week's decision by St Cuthbert's to cut some services and reduce staff numbers follows a decision last January to make 18 staff redundant and reduce patient services.

Ms Barker said it was "really sad" the services had come to end at a time of growing demand.

The dementia service had been running since 2014, helping more than 2,750 people in that period.

The hospice also laid off staff at the start of the year

The hospice, which opened in 1988 and employs just under 100 staff, continues to deliver cognitive stimulation therapy sessions and run a 10-bed in-patient unit, as well as bereavement services for children and young people.

Ms Barker said the team was now taking stock and planning for the future, but called for increased government funding for the sector.

"We know the need for hospice care is only going to grow," she said.

"We absolutely need to make sure that funding is in place to sustain us into the future.

"It's really crucial that we receive more government funding to support these services."

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said St Cuthbert's Hospice had received £68,000 for capital projects and more than £200,000 for end of life care.