The services supporting children and young people with terminal illnesses look set to be axed because of lack of funding.
Hospice in the Weald has been carrying out a consultation on ending its Children’s and Young People’s Service because of budget pressures. The move could also leave some Hospice employees facing redundancy.
In a message to supporters of the charity, which provides care and support services to people and their families with terminal illness in the high weald area, it described the proposal as “difficult”.
Chief Executive Nick Farthing said: “We have begun a consultation on a proposal to withdraw from providing our Children’s and Young People’s Service. This means that a number of colleagues are at risk of redundancy. We are supporting them through what we know is an incredibly difficult time. Families who use the service have been contacted personally.”
He said the proposal was not about the quality of care, but funding. “We are incredibly proud of the support our team provides. The reason for this proposal is the financial reality we are facing. Like many hospices, we are experiencing rising costs and funding that has not kept pace. National Insurance increases, NHS pay uplifts, National Living Wage rises, and wider inflation have all added significant pressure.”
The Children’s and Young People’s Service currently supports 33 families, but according to Mr Farthing “it has not grown in the way we had hoped, and the gap between the resources required and the number of people we are able to reach has become increasingly difficult to sustain”.
He added that by making difficult decisions now, the charity was safeguarding its future and ensuring it could “continue being here for our community for many years to come”.
But the decision has obviously not been taken lightly. He said: “None of this takes away from how hard this feels. We value the service for Children & Young People deeply, and we are proud of the difference it has made. We know this news may feel upsetting, and we are grateful for your understanding, compassion and continued support. Your kindness helps us continue providing vital care for local people every day.”
Mr Farthing said the announcement came at a time “when hospice funding is not fit for purpose”.
He added: “Hospices across the country are having to make difficult decisions because funding for children’s and adults’ hospice care has not kept pace with need. We continue to support Hospice UK’s Fair Funding campaign and will keep advocating for a sustainable national solution.”