Hospice says Government plans to support care too late for cuts and job losses

DERBYSHIRE hospice being forced to slash beds from up to 21 to six with feared job losses says Government plans to support palliative and end-of-care services are welcome but they will be too late to prevent its cutbacks.

- By JON COOPER Local democracy reporter

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Ashgate Hospice, which is dependent on funding and donations, provides respite and care for seriously ill patients and those needing end-of-life care as well as support for patients' families.

The hospice, in Old Brampton, Chesterfield, announced in October that it is being forced to make £2.6m of savings due to a lack of funding from the local NHS with plans to reduce inpatient beds and make staff cuts that could see jobs losses with a reduction in care and support services.

Ashgate chief executive Barbara-Anne Walker said: "Ashgate is an outstanding hospice. Our fundraising and retail teams are second to none but despite that we are having to make devastating cuts so there's clearly something badly wrong in the sector."

She said although the Government announcement won't stop the changes the hospice is now being forced to make, she was glad the Government has said it will act.

She said: "In 2024/25, thanks to the incredible generosity of our community and the hard work of our team, we had a record-breaking year for fundraising and retail income, raising almost £10 million. But however hard we work, it’s still not enough."

The Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, made a clear and firm commitment at the Hospice UK conference about plans for palliative care and the end of life care Modern Service Framework to improve access, quality and sustainability in the sector.