Hospice charity Ellenor has launched a staff consultation over its proposals to restructure as it looks to tackle a £1.8m deficit.

It says the proposed changes are in response to “ongoing financial pressures” and the need to reduce costs to “secure the charity’s future so it can continue providing care and support to local patients and families.

The Kent based charity said that despite having “made progress in reducing its deficit it is still forecasting a loss this year” amid rising costs.

“ellenor has already taken steps to grow income, improve efficiency and reduce costs, but these measures have not been enough to address the financial pressures it faces,” it said.

It added that it “is not alone in facing these pressures” with hospices UK wide “ experiencing significant financial challenges as the cost of providing care continues to rise and raising the charitable income needed to fund services becomes increasingly difficult”.

The charity’s chief executive Jon Quinn said: “For 40 years, ellenor has been here for people in our community when they have needed us most. I want us to be here for the next 40 years too, and that means making difficult decisions to protect our future.

“We have already taken steps to reduce our costs, but we need to go further. We are now consulting staff about proposed changes to help address the financial pressures we face and secure ellenor’s future, so we can continue providing care for years to come.

“No final decisions have been made, and we are committed to listening to staff and supporting them through this process with care and respect.”

“We recognise that this is a worrying time for our staff and volunteers, and we are committed to supporting colleagues through this process with care and respect.”

He added; “Our commitment to caring for patients and supporting their families remains unchanged. Our priority is to continue providing the care and support local people need, both now and in the future.

“We must make difficult decisions today to help ensure ellenor can continue to be there for our community for years to come.”

According to Hospice UK three in five hospices have made or are considering frontline staffing cuts.

Earlier this year Eastbourne based St Wilfrid’s Hospice announced it was looking to axe its home care service “to get finances back on track”.

Also this year Scotland charity Ardgowan Hospice announced it had cut senior management roles as it looked to tackle its £600,000 deficit.

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