Staff And Funding Shortages Could Close Vital Hospices in Surrey

Published on: 12 Jun, 2019
Updated on: 12 Jun, 2019

Christopher’s – Shooting Star Chase in Artington

By Rebecca Curley

local democracy reporter

Hospices in Surrey are facing a crisis as Brexit forces skilled and experienced staff to return to their home countries, a county council health meeting has been warned.

And having to compete with NHS wage increases without an increase in government funding has also hit the hospices hard.

Without extra investment, some vital end-of-life services may have to be cut or even closed, councillors and doctors on Surrey Health and Wellbeing Board were told on Thursday. Financial shortfalls have been blamed for the closing of two hospices in England this year.

The County Hall board, headed by council leader Tim Oliver, were told hospices with a budget of millions but just funding of thousands from the government were struggling.

Shooting Star Chase is one of Surrey’s hospice providers

They heard millions were coming in through in fundraising but more support and partnership work from the councils, doctors, hospitals and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) were needed to help hospices deliver end-of-life care and to help patients die as peacefully as possible.

Nigel Harding, chief executive of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, said he received only £700,000 of funding from the NHS but had a budget of nearly £11 million. “Funding and recruitment are my two biggest challenges.”

He said they were able to accept children with complex illnesses, adding: “We have the ability to take the pressure off acute hospitals.”

But he stressed they needed more engagement from CCGs and joined-up thinking with other organisations around Surrey.

“Our units mean families can say goodbye to their children in a calm and dignified way. The NHS are getting away very cheaply by giving us less than what it really takes to run it.”

He said there was a danger Surrey could lose its hospices if they didn’t get the support they needed. And he added: “If I can’t break even this year it means I have to have a plan B and B would be closing a unit. That’s not being dramatic.”

Sarah Brocklebank, chief executive of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care, said she had a £10m turnover and that it cost her £20,000 to £25,000 a day to run the hospice.

“Partnership working has got to be the way forward,” she said. “I don’t think just one organisation can do it.” And she pleaded with the board: “Please do support your hospices in Surrey. It’s not just about money. We have got a lot to offer.”

The board has pledged to investigate ways it can work with the hospices.