Hospice Faces Funding Crisis: Sleepless Nights for CEO

Moya Cole Hospice in Manchester is grappling with severe financial difficulties, causing its chief executive, Rachel McMillan, sleepless nights. The hospice requires a substantial £20,000 each day to maintain its operations, a figure that presents a constant challenge. While the National Health Service contributes to about a quarter to a third of running costs, McMillan emphasizes that essential services like in-patient and out-patient care, along with community work, require complete funding.

The ongoing financial strain has had a direct impact on service availability. Hospice UK reports that due to these pressures, one in five beds across hospices are currently unused. This situation underscores the broader challenges faced by such vital care providers in securing adequate financial resources to meet the community's needs.

The government has acknowledged the situation, stating that it is actively exploring avenues to improve the accessibility, quality, and long-term sustainability of palliative and end-of-life care for all age groups. This indicates a recognition of the critical need for enhanced support for hospice services nationwide.