"Some 380 hospice beds out of around 2,000 lie empty in England because of financial pressures, say bosses. Hospice UK has told BBC News this is up from 300 a year ago and illustrates the severe challenges facing the sector. Beds are left empty to save money - since staffing and caring is costly - and so are unavailable to patients."
"They depend on the rest from the NHS, and managers say this funding has not kept pace with costs, such as employer national insurance. Hospice leaders say their organisations are "on the brink of a financial crisis". A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the government had already invested 100 million to improve hospice facilities and had committed 80 million for children's and young people's hospices over three years."
"Hospice UK says five of its members have announced "cost reductions" or cutbacks since early October. In some cases job losses are being made. One of them is Ashgate Hospice in Derbyshire which has warned staff that 52 are at risk of redundancy. Bed numbers are also being reduced - from 15 to six - and the proposals would mean 600 fewer patients being cared for each year."
Hospice provision in England is under severe financial pressure, leaving about 380 of roughly 2,000 beds empty to reduce staffing and care costs. Hospices rely on charitable fundraising for two thirds to three quarters of income and depend on NHS contributions that managers say have not kept pace with rising costs such as employer national insurance, staff salaries and energy bills. Several hospices have announced cost reductions, bed closures and potential redundancies; Ashgate and Arthur Rank face substantial inpatient bed cuts and staff risks. The government has provided targeted funding and says it is exploring wider sustainability measures under a 10-Year Health Plan.
Read at www.bbc.com
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