We are saddened to announce that we have been forced to make substantial cost savings and are proposing £1M of reductions across the charity, including staff redundancies.
Amongst other cost savings we are proposing to reduce our Community Clinical Services by 33% as well as make cuts to Medical and Psychological Support Teams.
We have seen our costs rise by £1.1M over the last few years, as a result of inflation. During that time we have only received a £140k increase to our NHS funding.
We receive funding for just 25% of our operating costs from the NHS, the lowest percentage received of all nine adult hospices in London, according to Hospice UK, the sector’s umbrella body.
Nick Stevens, CEO says, “Inflation rises have hit us, and the entire hospice sector, hard. The gap between our operating costs and our NHS funding is no longer sustainable. The NHS is starved of funds but without more Government support, we simply have no option but to make these devastating cuts that will impact some of the most vulnerable people in our community facing the end of their lives.
“The prospect of having to make highly skilled, specialist palliative care clinicians and support staff redundant is totally unpalatable. Regretfully, these cuts will, without doubt, put additional pressure on the already stretched healthcare services in Merton and Sutton. This matter urgently needs to get the attention of our new Labour government. The dying cannot be put on a waiting list.”
Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK says: “It is incredibly sad to hear that St Raphael’s Hospice is forced to make these cuts due to immense financial pressures.
A recent Hospice UK survey found that the financial stability of hospices across the UK has reached a critical point, with at least a fifth having already cut services or planning to do so. Despite community support, state funding has not kept pace with rising costs.
This situation cannot continue. More and more hospices are cutting vital services and staff, which increases pressure on the NHS and costs taxpayers more. The new government must recognise the scale of this crisis and ensure proper funding for hospices to continue their vital work.”
Kate Billingham Wilson, Director of Fundraising and Communications says: “Our current financial situation is no reflection on our incredible donors and we are so grateful for the continued dedication of our local community. We need your support now more than ever.