Hospice care financial pressure mounting

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• Hospice sector in Guernsey mirroring the financial pressures being reported in UK.
• Les Bourgs Hospice operates on community funding without regular support from the States of Guernsey.
• Chief Executive Rob Jones highlights the importance of community generosity to sustain care services.
• A recent rise in operational costs and a decline in legacy income are affecting financial stability.
• Demand for hospice care is increasing, with a notable rise in local mortality rates.

Les Bourgs Hospice is facing rising costs while income is under pressure.

It has acknowledged the recent National Audit Office (NAO) report that has highlighted financial sustainability issues within England's adult hospice sector.

Typically, hospices in the UK receive a combination of NHS and charitable funding.

In contrast, Les Bourgs Hospice has functioned solely on the generosity of the Guernsey community since its establishment in 1991, lacking any regular financial backing from the States.

Chief Executive Rob Jones said: “We fully understand the pressures highlighted in the report and recognise the vital contribution that hospices make to healthcare systems across the British Isles.”

He expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from the local community, noting that it enables the hospice to provide specialised, free palliative care to those in need. This local backing has been pivotal for nearly 35 years and will play a crucial role in ensuring the organisation's future viability.

The NAO report indicated that almost two-thirds of independent adult hospices in England reported a deficit for the financial year 2023/24.

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Les Bourgs Hospice also faces similar rising costs associated with caring for an ageing population with increasingly complex health requirements while simultaneously experiencing a reduction in legacy income.

Mr Jones said: “Like many hospices elsewhere, our costs continue to rise while income is under pressure. The community’s support has never been more important in helping us maintain and develop the care that islanders rely on.”

Additionally, the demand for hospice care in Guernsey is on the rise.

Recent data from the Guernsey Mortality Trends 2024 report reveals a steady increase in the number of deaths on the island from 2005 to 2024, reflecting the demographic trend of an ageing population.

During 2024, 9% of all deaths occurred at Les Bourgs Hospice, in contrast to 5% across the UK.