MP: We must pull hospices back from the brink

An MP is to demand action to pull hospices from the financial cliff edge caused by rising energy costs.

Lisa Cameron will urge ministers to ease the potential impact of spiralling bills and the reduction in the UK Government’s energy support scheme in April.

The MP for East Kilbride, who has been a vocal supporter of Scotland’s 16 hospices, is set to raise concern at Westminster over the funding crisis which has seen some hospices losing beds and others facing cutting services.

We reported rising concerns last week as some Scots hospices – which support 22,000 families a year – face bills rising five-fold, adding to annual costs of £90 million.

Cameron, the chair of Westminster’s parliamentary group on disability, will call on Health Secretary Steve Barclay to act. She said: “Our hospices provide services and support to almost 23,000 people and their families in Scotland every year.

“It’s unacceptable that under the UK Government’s new energy support scheme they will receive less help with their bills than a zoo will do.

“I’ve not only written to the minister asking him to act, I have also submitted questions on just what the government intend doing to increase funding and support for these vital organisations.

“It’s clear the NHS is already overwhelmed. If hospices receive no extra help, the knock-on effect of them having to cut service will impact even further on our already overstretched hospitals and GP services. The government must look at the situation without delay.”

Helen Malo of Hospices UK said the increase in staffing costs to keep pace with the 7.5% NHS pay increase will add a further £5m to annual running costs.

Hospices pushed to the brink as energy costs bite: Crucial palliative care services warn of crisis

She said: “The increase in staffing costs has been of major concern along with spiralling energy bills.

“Staffing takes up 70% of our running costs with some individual hospices now paying £900,000 a year.

“We must keep parity with the NHS if we are to continue to offer quality care.”

Most hospices receive just a third of their costs from health and social care partnerships and are calling for an increase to 50%.

Scottish Conservative Shadow Social Justice Secretary Miles Briggs has arranged a cross-party meeting with Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf next month.

Briggs said: “I am also meeting with my Westminster colleagues in a bid to highlight the huge increases hospices and families caring for severely disabled children at home are facing from energy companies making billions in profits.

“I’m hopeful we can see a social tariff being brought in which will help ease the situation.”

The Scottish Government has said government officials and ministers will liaise with the hospice sector to see what extra support can be provided.

It added: “The significant cut by the UK Government in support for non-domestic consumers with their energy costs beyond March is very concerning, particularly for the more vulnerable sectors.”