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A hospice has announced it has to axe 40 job and make more than £1 million in savings to survive. St Catherine’s Hospice has been forced to take drastic action because of inflation and the cost of living crisis. The hospice, based in Pease Cottage but operating across West Sussex and East Surrey, said more than 77 per cent of its current costs are spent on staffing and that over 40 members of staff, including nurses, are expected to be cut.
However, the hospice, which provides end of life care, said ward in-patient care will not be reduced at its 12-bed facility. The hospice has capacity for 24 beds, but is not able to operate them all due to lack of funding. Giles Tomsett, chief executive at St Catherine’s, said: “Since May, we’ve made significant reductions to our support teams, reduced the hours of our community telephone advice line and changed the way our therapy team operates.
Chief executive Giles Tomsett (Image: St Catherine's Hospice) “From Monday, September 9, we’ll be consulting with our community service teams about proposed cuts to community facing services and how best we can deliver care in people’s homes, a service we deliver alongside NHS GPs, district nursing teams and other government-funded services. “It is with great sadness that I can confirm that our proposals will include a reduction of staff including nursing. “It’s heart-breaking to have to reduce our team of highly skilled, specialist clinicians – some of whom have delivered expert support for many years and who all care so deeply about supporting families living with a terminal or life-limiting diagnosis and people coming towards the end of life.
” READ MORE: St Catherine's Hospice impacted by funding crisis The funding crisis is part of a national picture as reported by charity Hospice UK, which said the hospice sector is facing a deficit of around £60 million this financial year. Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK, said: “We extend our sympathy and solidarity with the excellent team at St Catherine’s and our compassion to everyone directly affected by these cuts to care services and associated job losses. “It makes me both sad and angry to see a well-regarded and well-supported local hospice forced to take these decisions because they’re unable to keep up with rising costs.
“The most regrettable aspect of these proposed service cuts is that this is precisely the sort of community activity that the new government has committed to increasing. READ MORE: 'Failing' hospital discharge system leaves fit and well in hospital “St Catherine’s and other hospices like them wish to help take some pressure off NHS hospitals and have the skills and ability to do so. Community services are fundamental to the future of the health and social care system.
If they’re cut, those patients go back to NHS services, only increasing the pressure they are already under.” The service is also looking to become part of existing NHS Neighbourhood Groups, primary care networks made up of GP practices and community services, to improve its care. The hospice provides services for around 2,500 people in wards, care facilities or at home.
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