Government funding is "sticking plaster" says Lincs Hospice boss

A Lincolnshire hospice boss fears many hospices will be forced to close if long-term funding is not secured.

This comes despite the Government's announcement of £25 million of capital investment for hospices, including £236,601 for St Barnabas Lincolnshire.

As this money is for capital it can only be spent on permanent investments, such as equipment and refurbishments, not day-to-day running costs.

"This is not revenue income, so this does not address the year on year deficits that all hospices face because of the lack of a consistent funding from government," said Chris Wheway, CEO of St Barnabas Lincolnshire.

I think if there isn't consistent funding

"I want to be happy about it and it is good news but I do also want to say actually it's a sticking plaster on what is a massive issue for the hospice sector."

"I think if there isn't consistent funding, my sense is you will see more hospices close.

"You will see it shrinking to begin with, services shrinking and then over time there'll be the smaller ones potentially closing and and I think that sense of assuming that you have a local hospice will be changing.

Hospice's offer end of life care and support to families, with St Barnabas helping over 12,000 people in Lincolnshire every year.

Mr Wheway fears that more patients will remain in hospital if hospices are not properly funded.

"We have acute hospitals that are full of people, and we want them discharged and we want them to go home," he said.

"The reality is, is that if if the Hospice movement isn't there, then people who are dying will be going somewhere and the chances it will be an acute hospital.

"I think you'll end up seeing more people in hospital and you will see a lot more poor deaths.

"You will painful deaths, sad deaths and the ripples of which will go through families for many generations."

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