Southport MP Patrick Hurley is urging people to sign a petition which calls for the Government to fully fund specialist palliative care provided by hospices.
Queenscourt Hospice in Southport, a local charity which cares for 2,000 people in Southport, Formby and West Lancashire every year, is currently fighting to maintain its services as it battles a £2 million funding deficit.
Patrick Hurley said: “Hospices across the country are struggling to stay afloat, and it’s about time we saw a serious conversation from Westminster about how we adequately support them.
“Here in Southport, Queenscourt Hospice has provided exceptional, compassionate care to local families for 35 years, but like many hospices, it is facing increasing financial pressures.
“I’ve been proud to support Queenscourt’s campaign for a sustainable future. Everyone should have access to the dignity and quality of care they provide.
“Sign the petition and add your voice to the campaign.”
You can sign the petition here: Fully fund Specialist Palliative Care provided by hospices – Petitions
Earlier this week, Queenscourt Hospice called on its communities to continue their incredible support as it launches the next stage of its appeal, ‘Your Queenscourt Still Needs You’, following a national BBC interview highlighting the growing financial crisis facing hospices across the country.
NHS funding covers just 24% of Queenscourt’s core costs, meaning the hospice is heavily dependent on fundraising, donations and grants to maintain its services.
Queenscourt Hospice was chosen as the setting for the national interview, broadcast on Friday (14th August 2026), as hospices continue to operate at a growing deficit.
Hospices across England ended the last financial year with a collective deficit of more than £70 million – more than double the previous year – as rising costs, increased demand and stagnant funding place unprecedented pressure on end-of-life care services.
New analysis from Hospice UK reveals the scale of the financial crisis facing hospices across the country, with at least 33 hospices in England already making significant cuts to services and almost 60% either making changes or considering reductions as they struggle to balance their budgets.
The national growing crisis was highlighted during a visit to Queenscourt Hospice in Southport by BBC Health Editor Hugh Pym, who spent time at the hospice meeting staff, patients and families and seeing first-hand the vital care being provided.
During his visit, Hugh Pym filmed interviews with Toby Porter, Chief Executive of Hospice UK, Louise Charnock, Executive Director of Nursing at Queenscourt, Fiona Mee, Clinical Lead Nurse for Queenscourt at Home, as well as inpatient Iain Kerr.
The hospice has already taken a number of difficult decisions to reduce costs, including reducing its number of in-patients beds from 10 to five.
These changes come at a time when demand for end-of-life care continues to increase, placing additional pressure on already stretched services.
For more details about Queenscourt Hospice visit: Queenscourt Hospice | Where life is for living
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