What is the current financial situation for hospices in Wales?

Nine out of the 14 hospices in Wales are facing a financial deficit for the 2025-26 period, with one having closed and another temporarily shut due to funding difficulties.

How are Welsh hospices funded?

Approximately 70% of hospice funding comes from charitable donations, while the Welsh government and the NHS provide the remaining 30%.

What is being done to address the hospice funding crisis in Wales?

The Welsh government states that investment has increased, and work is ongoing for a new commissioning approach to ensure long-term sustainability and quality care.

Home / Health / Wales Hospices Face Closure Crisis

Wales Hospices Face Closure Crisis

4 Feb

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Summary

Hospice services are at risk due to an unsustainable funding model.
Nine out of 14 Welsh hospices face financial deficits in 2025-26.
Patients highlight the vital comfort and care hospices provide.

Hospice services across Wales are at a critical juncture, with the current funding model deemed unsustainable and threatening the provision of end-of-life care. Nine out of fourteen hospices in the region are projected to face financial deficits in 2025-26, a situation exacerbated by rising running costs. This financial strain has already led to the closure of one hospice and the temporary shutdown of another.

Patients who have experienced hospice care, such as Paul Thomas and the family of Rowena Owen, consistently praise the unique comfort, peace, and personalized support provided. These testimonials underscore the vital role hospices play in managing pain, offering emotional support, and allowing families precious moments together, often in a more serene environment than a hospital.

The charity Hospice UK is urgently calling for a reformed funding approach to protect these essential services. Currently, hospices rely on charitable donations for approximately 70% of their funding, with the Welsh government and NHS contributing the remaining 30%. This reliance on donations, coupled with increasing demand for palliative care, presents a significant challenge.