Tim Symington, Chair of Trustees
I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as Chair. The Hospice of St Francis is a wonderful and much-loved charity, offering outstanding care to a community that trusts us.
I have been involved with the Hospice for over 20 years, first as a supporter and since 2019 as its Treasurer. I know how crucial our community is in sustaining our care. I have seen first-hand the journey we have been on, as first we faced the pandemic and then the cost-of-living crisis.
Our hospice care is there for our whole community, when they need it, young and old. It may surprise you to know that we care for many patients who have young children. 15% of the adults who come in to the Inpatient Unit are aged under 55 and, overall, 20% of patients come into the Hospice and go back home to be cared for by our community team. The impact of that care cannot be overestimated.
Meanwhile demand for what the Hospice can offer is growing – the number of people coming to us for care has gone up by 40% since the pandemic. Like many other charities, we now face very challenging times, with costs rising but fundraising and other income failing to keep pace. NHS funding (20% of our income) is falling in real terms.
Against this backdrop, we have worked hard to reduce costs, improve efficiency and develop new sources of income, for example by the opening of 3 new shops in the past 3 years. We have had to dig deep into our reserves and make difficult choices, such as this year’s decision to not make a general pay award for our staff.
So far, we have managed to carry on offering the wide range of palliative care, therapies and support to families as before. Our support ranges from home visits and outpatient treatment through to inpatient beds in the hospice and “virtual beds” where complex needs can be managed in patients’ homes.
But the gap between the cost of care and fundraising income continues to grow. If we are to continue to offer the same range of outstanding care, we need even more help from our friends and supporters in the towns and villages around the Hospice. NHS funding pays for just 5 of our Inpatient Unit (IPU) beds. If we are to continue offering 8 IPU beds we are going to need more funding from supporters. That’s why we have launched a specific bed appeal this spring.
I have seen the vital impact of hospices myself, with members of my family experiencing the compassion, kindness and dedication alongside outstanding palliative care. Like you, I want to see that care thrive.
From one member of the hospice family to another, please continue to stand beside us.
Every donation will fund care on our Inpatient Unit care giving you, your neighbours, friends and family the best possible care.
Keep our beds open
The NHS can fund 5 beds this year. To keep 8 beds open, we need £630,000 in donations. To open all 12 of our beds we would need another £370,000.
We are launching this appeal to help keep 8 beds open.
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