I was very pleased to have the opportunity to speak in Parliament as part of the planned hospice debate. I have worked very closely with the dedicated team at the Prospect Hospice over the years. This debate was also important for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice, which I regularly visit in Devizes, and serves the area of Wiltshire and Dorset.
Both of these wonderful hospices have grown and thrived over the years, due to the generosity and goodwill of our local community. In fact, 30% of Prospect Hospice’s income comes from fundraising appeals and activities. Another 31% comes from the profit made at the local charity shops in our area, and another 11% of hospice funding comes from legacy because legacy gifts are vitally important. Along with other investment income, this brings the total amount to around 75% with another 25% coming from our statutory services – our Integrated Care Board. However, the pressure of inflation has affected our hospices with costs increasing significantly.
The sad challenge that we have faced at Prospect Hospice is that we’ve had to decrease the number of beds from 12 to 6 and we’ve also had to close the day therapy unit. That unit was invaluable and the support that it offered to people at the end of their lives is greatly missed here in Swindon.
The Covid pandemic also wreaked havoc with regard to the fundraising activity of hospices, and as a result of this, we are facing a funding shortfall, which is going to be very difficult to make up. This is why I was glad to speak at this important debate and highlight the issues faced by Prospect Hospice and Julia’s House in Parliament, on behalf of all local residents here in South Swindon, as well as the hospices themselves.
