Toby Porter, Chief Executive of Hospice UK said: "Today’s Autumn statement was a missed opportunity to talk about the needs of end of life care, at a time when hospices across the country are struggling to make ends meet. Hospices are a vital part of the health system, providing support to over 300,000 people every year. But right now 96% of them are budgeting for a deficit – that’s an estimated collective deficit of £100 million.
We’ve been warning for over a year of the impact rising costs and insufficient funding is having on hospices. Many are being forced to look at reducing vital services for dying people and their families. This cannot be allowed to happen. Without hospices, the NHS would have to support hundreds of thousands more patients each year and dying people would miss out on the brilliant and compassionate care hospices provide. Hospices need clarity on future funding so that they can continue to offer their essential services and help relieve pressure on the NHS."
