Hospices ‘at breaking point’ new report warns

TWO-THIRDS of Scottish hospices have either made cuts or are planning to in the next year as underfunding has left them “stretched to breaking point”, according to new analysis.

- BY LUCINDA CAMERON

It found that many are struggling to keep pace with rising costs, leaving people at risk of missing out on vital care at the end of life.

Yesterday, a Hospice UK survey of 14 hospice organisations in Scotland was published.

It found seven of the 13 which responded said they have already made cuts, while three have said they will make cuts in the next year. Hospice UK says this reflects severe and unsustainable financial pressures across the hospice sector in Scotland at a time when demand for palliative care is at an all-time high.