Around half of hospices are set to cut their services due to a fall in fundraising and other financial pressures.

The survey of hospices by Hospice UK found that 44 % of hospice leaders are looking to reduce the services they provide beneficiaries compared to the previous financial year.

One in ten believe this reduction will be up to a third of their services.

A fall in fundraising mainly through charity shop closures and cancellation of community fundraising events has resulted in the financial pressures, says the organisation that supports more than 200 hospices UK wide.

This comes despite an initial increase in donations to hospices and NHS charities during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic’s first wave earlier this year.

Day services at hospices are most at risk. Three quarters (73%) of hospices say they are having to reduce these services due to the pandemic.

This comes amid a surge in demand for community hospice services. Two thirds of hospices have reported an increase in referrals for community-based services since the start of the Covid-19 crisis.

“End of life care has been at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the way this care is given is changing before our eyes,” said Hospices UK chief executive Tracey Bleakley.

“There are more than 200 hospices across the UK that work to support individuals and families with end of life care. Approximately 83% of hospice care is delivered in the community, and that requires a network of staff that people do not necessarily see or know about.

"With the country dealing with the effects of COVID-19, expert end of life care is more important than ever, and with ever-changing demands and working environments, we must continue to support the people providing much-needed end of life care as they are increasingly pushed to the limit.

“The sector is grateful for the government and public support it has received, and with the imminent threat of a second wave of COVID-19, we hope to see continued support.”

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