Southport’s MP says that an anticipated growth in palliative care needs in the coming years means that there is an urgent need to develop more sustainable funding for organisations such as Queenscourt Hospice in Southport.
Damien Moore MP praised the fantastic fundraising work carried out by Queenscourt every year, which raises around 80% of its income through events such as Star Trekk, Southport Santa Spring and Jail and Bail.
But with an estimated 130,000 additional deaths annually by 2040, Mr Moore says that now is the time to secure better funding for hospices so they can continue to provide compassionate care and support in their local communities.
Queenscourt, which operates a hospice based in Kew in Southport, is a local charity that provides support for the people of West Lancashire, Southport and Formby.
Queenscourt provides access to specialist palliative care either at home, including care homes, hospital or in Queenscourt via the Inpatient Unit or as an outpatient.
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Speaking in a debate on Hospice Funding, Southport MP Damien Moore said: “I wish to highlight foremost the significant challenges and opportunities before us in the care sector across the United Kingdom. In Southport, Queenscourt Hospice stands as a pillar of community strength, with its Star Trekk night walks, which have raised nearly £100,000, annual Christmas fairs and summer balls – and who could forget the annual Santa Sprint that unites our community in support of its services? Queenscourt initiatives are vital.
Hundreds of runners took part in the 2023 Southport Santa Sprint for Queenscourt Hospice. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
“It was a privilege to visit Queenscourt Hospice in 2022 and meet the dedicated nursing, operations and fundraising teams. I found their passion and commitment to serving Southport and the surrounding area truly inspiring, and I am committed to supporting their invaluable work. “It is clear that the hard work of Debbie Pierce-Lawson and her team is paying off in Southport, and it is testament to the hospital’s embedded role in our community.
“Similarly, my visit a few years ago to Claire House Children’s Hospice highlighted the immense dedication and heartfelt contribution made by staff and volunteers. Their commitment to providing care for every child is commendable. Their work brings indispensable comfort to affected children and their families during unimaginably difficult times, yet despite those immense and inspiring local efforts the recent Hospice UK briefing projects a £77 million deficit across the hospice sector for 2023-24.
Jail and Bail for Queenscourt Hospice. Inmates outside The Cheshire Lines Inn.
Photo by Dave Brown Photography for Stand Up For Southport
“Queenscourt Hospice, which needs nearly £3 million to operate each year, receives only 20% of that and has to raise the remaining amount through exceptionally hard fundraising work. That figure is not merely a statistic but a stark indication of the financial hurdles facing our hospice care system.
“Hospices are cornerstones of our healthcare system, offering invaluable support to over 300,000 individuals annually. That support extends beyond patient care to providing relief and assistance to families during the most challenging times. Hospices’ remarkable efforts in fundraising underscore the community’s recognition of their vital role. However, the sector’s reliance on charitable income highlights the need for a more structured approach to funding.
It is heartening to see the Government’s commitment to palliative care, notably through the Health and Care Act 2022, which introduced a legal duty for integrated care boards to commission palliative care services. That is a positive step forward, ensuring that the needs of the local population are met. Nevertheless, despite those strides, the variability in funding across the country and escalating operational costs represent ongoing challenges.
“I am proud of our Government’s record in supporting hospices in the broader NHS. However, I recognise that as the demand for palliative care increases, we must continue to evolve and support the system so that it remains sustainable for the future. The anticipated growth in palliative care needs, with an estimated 130,000 additional deaths annually by 2040, underscores the urgency for developing a sustainable funding model. Such a model would empower hospices to continue their work in partnership with the NHS, providing compassionate care and support.
“I firmly believe in the Government’s ability to address those challenges. IBy fostering a collaborative approach with the hospice sector, we can ensure that hospices in Southport and across the United Kingdom are not just sustained but supported to continue to provide critical services to those who need them.”
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