2 weeks Ago
St Cuthbert’s Hospice, Durham, axed 18 jobs from its 124-strong workforce in the wake of crippling National Insurance contribution increases announced for employers in last year’s budget. This was coupled to other key annual ministry support funding failing to match inflation. Since opening in 1988, the hospice, in Merryoaks, on the outskirts of the city, has been offering free 24-hour pain management and end-of-life care, as well as dementia and bereavement support to a total of 1,000 people annually.
(Image: Sheila Kitson) Managers have warned that the enforced economies may result in up to 150 people missing out on day care services, with a further 100 losing access to bereavement support. Announcing the charitable trust’s decision to gift the hospice £15,000, chairman Eric Bulmer said: “We have long been aware of the vital service delivered by the dedicated staff and volunteers at the hospice and have made significant contributions over the years. “We felt duty bound to act in the present crisis.
” The hospice’s annual running costs have latterly topped more than £3.5 million, covering all services, particularly specialist medical and nursing care. Support from commissioning organisations, including the NHS, have been meeting less than half of the yearly bill.
Patricia Boynton, the hospice’s trusts and grant manager, offered a, “massive thank you” to the freemen for the donation. “When I heard the fantastic news, I couldn’t wait to tell everyone at the hospice. “We continue to rely on charitable funding and this gift means so much.
“We have always believed what we offer should be accessible to all.” (Image: The Northern Echo) Alan Ribchester Mr Bulmer said the award was "particularly poignant" given the "wonderful care” received by one of the founding fathers of the freemen’s charitable trust, Alan Ribchester, at the hospice. Read next .
.. more news from Durham City, as reported in The Northern Echo, by clicking here St Cuthbert's Hospice, Durham, makes 18 staff redundant Closure of St Cuthbert's Hospice would be 'heartbreaking': readers' react Durham chartered accountant Alan Ribchester made an MBE in New Year Honours Mr Ribchester, a leading regional chartered accountant and the instigator and driving force behind the establishment of the trust, spent his final days in the care of the hospice, before his death in late January.
He is pictured, above, at his Durham office on receiving his letter, from Buckingham Palace, informing him of the award of an MBE, in 2010. The honour was made for his "charitable services to community groups and good causes in the Durham area"..
