Statement from St Christopher’s, home of the modern hospice movement, in response to the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee ‘Financial sustainability of adult hospices in England’ report. 

Steve Smith, Chief Executive, of St Christopher’s, home of the modern hospice movement, says: 

“This report confirms what we in the sector already know – hospices across the country are under increasing strain as a chronic underfunding collides with rapidly rising need. While parliament debates the Assisted Dying Bill, hospices are being forced to cut back frontline services. There is a clear lack of effective oversight of the independent hospice sector. 

“At St Christopher’s we’ve managed to protect our services so far – but demand in south London alone jumped by 11% last year, and it’s only going to rise as our population ages and  care shifts out of hospitals and into the community in line with the government’s approach. 

“The details of the Modern Service Framework for palliative and end-of-life care still remain unclear, and many of our fellow hospices cannot wait much longer. We therefore need an urgent review of hospice funding now to ensure that no matter where people live, they receive the care they deserve at the end of life.”