THE SHAKESPEARE Hospice is seeking urgent Government support as a funding crisis continues to threaten its services and staffing.
Tracey Sheridan, the CEO of the Shottery-based hospice, met up with Stratford MP Manuela Perteghella at Westminster to shine a light on the immense financial pressures hospices are under as demand for services continues to increase.
The Shakespeare Hospice is among the near 60 per cent of hospices nationwide who may have to cut back on clinician services and make redundancies to avoid financial catastrophe.
It must raise £3 million every year to continue providing care to those who need it most. Only 12 per cent of its funding comes from the NHS, meaning it relies on donations and public support to raise the remaining 88 per cent.
Ms Sheridan said: “The Shakespeare Hospice continues to commit to delivering compassionate, high-quality care, but cannot do it alone. We will continue to work to influence both national and local government as well as health and social care commissioners on the value and impact hospice care provides to the local health economy.
“Sadly, demand is not a problem but, having a properly funded model to provide excellent clinical care remains the continuing problem.
“Manuela’s support today was above and beyond – and I’m extremely grateful for her continued support.”
Dr Perteghella continued: “Last week I visited Shakespeare Hospice where I met with the chief executive officer to discuss the funding crisis that is impacting hospices across the country.
“The current funding model is unfair, and we need Treasury and local health commissioners to review their funding allocations for palliative and end of life care, so that patients can continue to receive excellent care and support.
“Yet demand for hospice care continues to grow. Without financial support, there is a real risk of essential services being reduced, placing additional strain on the NHS and leaving vulnerable people without the care and dignity they deserve.
“Hospices sit in quiet corners of our communities. It’s only when we or a loved one needs to use one that we realise the significant impact that they have in the community; offering support, hope and advice which often has a lasting and profound impact on families.
“I’ll continue to fight for these important community spaces.”
