Hospices to benefit from £25m funding boost

Dorothy House in Wiltshire is one of many hospices to benefit from the cash

Hospices across the country are to benefit from £25m of government funding.

The cash, which will be given to at least 10 hospices in the West of England, can be spent on improving buildings, facilities and IT systems but not on staffing.

Wayne de Leeuw, from Dorothy House near Bradford on Avon in Wiltshire, said he was "genuinely grateful" but that its staffing costs would amount to £957,000 this year and it was being given only £297,000 as part of the funding.

The government said an additional £75m would be available from April.

Hospices provide free end of life care for people diagnosed with a terminal illness, paid for through NHS funding and public donations.

'Immense financial pressures'

Hospice care providers say the funding is welcome but nowhere near enough to cover rising costs and increasing demands on their services.

Mr de Leeuw said: "We looked after 4,000 people last year and didn't charge for that, it's free... but [due to demand] we need to increase the amount of people we care for by 25% by 2048."

He said that without long-term funding, the £25m boost would not have the impact the government hopes for.

David Slack, from St Margaret's Hospice in Somerset, said: "We're delighted, but it costs us £15m a year to run our services in Yeovil, Taunton and in the community.

"We will be spending it on things like new IT equipment, replacing hot water tanks, and upgrading some of the facilities."

Clare Davis, from Longfield Community Hospice in Gloucestershire, said: "In light of the hospice sector being under immense financial pressures, any additional funds will be received gratefully.

"Our challenge will be working with the restrictions around how the funding can be used."

Hospices in Gloucestershire have received more than £2.5m including Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court getting £1.25m, and £50,000 for Longfield Community Hospice in Minchinhampton.

Three hospices in Wiltshire will share £500,000, and in Somerset four hospices will share £849,000.

Hospices in the West of England to benefit include:

• Dorothy House

• Longfield Community

• Great Oaks

• Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court

• Julia's House

• St Margaret's

• Weston Hospicecare

• Prospect Swindon

• St Peter's Bristol

• Children's Hospice SW