Hospices across Scotland warn of funding crisis as Ayrshire chief joins call for funding support

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The head of the Ayrshire Hospice is warning of an “insurmountable funding gap” facing the sector across Scotland.

Tracy Flynn is among 14 hospice bosses who say services are staring down a cash crisis.

A black hole of £25 million is being tackled by organisations across the country.

Hospice chiefs like Ms Flynn are warning that budget shortfalls could lead to service cuts – or people being turned away.

Bosses in Ayrshire have stressed they are not at that stage yet, but have added their voice to the growing appeal for more funding help.

The stark message comes as the Ayr-based Hospice prepares to return to its newly refurbished HQ in Racecourse Road early next year.

Ms Flynn said: “Although we are ready and excited to open our beautiful new, refurbished and contemporary Ayrshire Hospice facility in early 2025, our charity, and our colleagues in Hospices across Scotland feel the enormous pressure to keep pace with NHS salary rises and we do not have the funds we require to innovate the way we would like to.

“The National Insurance hike alone will add approximately £183,000 a year to the Ayrshire Hospice’s salary bill.

“The Ayrshire Hospice is not currently turning any patients or families away or cutting any clinical services.

“Last week, we shared the Scottish Hospice Leadership Group’s call to action around the funding gap with our staff, and we are actively recruiting for new employed and voluntary roles at the Hospice.”

This year has seen NHS staff awarded a 5.5 per cent pay increase with consultant pay also hiked by 10.5 per cent.

Hospices say they are feeling extra pressure to match such pay for staff or face losing highly skilled clinical staff.

Ms Flynn added: “Nothing will negatively impact the quality of the specialist care we deliver. What could be negatively impacted is our innovation and ambition.

“Scotland’s hospice sector urgently needs a funding solution - help for today to build a sustainable framework for tomorrow.

“Without a viable funding solution, palliative and end-of-life care across Scotland will face severe challenges.

“We are extremely fortunate and grateful that the community of Ayrshire and Arran are so supportive of our charity and it is our belief that Hospice care should always be free, and it is our privilege to deliver palliative and end-of-life care.

“We are closely supported by our partners in NHS Ayrshire & Arran and health and social care partnerships and are committed to excellence in all we do.”

Hospice chiefs across Scotland are now calling on an immediate commitment from the Scottish Government to funding support to ensure services will not be impacted.

Jacki Smart, chair of the Scottish Hospice Leadership Group and CEO of ACCORD Hospice in Paisley, said: “We are calling on the Scottish Government to urgently prioritise funding for hospices, to support pay parity for hospice staff and to commit to a sustainable funding model into the future.

“Our staff deserve to be valued and rewarded similarly to their NHS colleagues.

“Our patients and the people of Scotland deserve to know that our care is there for them when they need it.”

You can give your support to Scottish Hospices by writing to your local MSP to call for action by visiting https://action.hospiceuk.org/stand-up-for-scottish-hospices

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