MP highlights funding challenges faced by Lichfield hospice in parliamentary debate
The critical funding pressures facing St Giles Hospice were brought to national attention this week during a parliamentary debate on hospice and palliative care.
Lichfield MP Dave Robertson spoke passionately about the challenges faced by the hospice, which receives just 18% of its funding from the NHS - significantly below the national average of 33%.
During Monday's debate in the House of Commons (January 13), Mr Robertson shared the story of Sean Collins, whose wife Felicity died at St Giles aged 38 in November 2023, leaving behind two young children. Sean is now leading the hospice's Urgent Appeal, launched in late 2024.
"The generous donors to St Giles do so much to care for people that they have never met," Mr Robertson told Parliament. "Having said that though, government support is essential to make sure hospices across the country continue to do everything that they do for all of our communities."
While welcoming the government's recent announcement of £100 million additional funding for hospices, Mr Robertson called for long-term sustainable funding solutions for the care they provide.
During a recent meeting with St Giles Hospice's CEO Elinor Eustace, Mr Robertson learned how the hospice values its community fundraising model, while recognising the essential need for increased government support. He told Parliament that while the hospice doesn't seek to be fully NHS-funded, as community fundraising brings value to the entire community around the hospice, sustainable statutory funding for care is crucial for its future.
The debate, which lasted two hours, concluded with Wimbledon MP Paul Kohler emphasising the need for a long-term funding plan and strategy for the next decade.
St Giles Hospice, which has been serving the community for over 40 years, was forced to make significant changes in 2024, including reducing its inpatient beds from 23 to 15 and implementing staff redundancies due to financial pressures. The hospice provides specialist palliative and end of life care, free of charge, for people living with terminal illnesses across Staffordshire, North Birmingham and surrounding areas.
Elinor Eustace, Chief Executive Officer of St Giles Hospice, said: "We welcome Parliament's focus on the critical issue of hospice funding. While we are proud of our deep community connections and the incredible support we receive locally, we need a sustainable funding model that ensures we can continue providing essential end of life care for generations to come. We look forward to working with government and healthcare partners to develop long-term solutions that benefit all hospices and the communities they serve."
The hospice provides specialist palliative and end of life care, free of charge, for people living with terminal illnesses across Staffordshire, North Birmingham and surrounding areas.
Despite these challenges, the hospice continues to provide outstanding care, as rated by the Care Quality Commission, both at its sites in Whittington and Sutton Coldfield and in patients' own homes across the region.
