'Hospice cutbacks only way service will survive'

A number of cutbacks to the Isle of Man's single hospice facility is the only way the service will survive, its CEO has said.

The palliative and end-of-life care provider announced cuts and the workforce of about 150 staff have been offered voluntary redundancy after sustained financial struggles over the past six years.

Hospice Isle of Man said its in-patient unit, Hospice at Home service and Rebecca House children's hospice would be prioritised as part of the changes.

Chief executive Fiona Hatton said the charity had used £5.5m of its reserves to cover its operating costs, which was no longer sustainable.

She said: "You shouldn't need to rely on the reserves for your day to day operations."

Hatton explained that the charity relied heavily on public donations, which contributed to 75% of running costs.

"We want them to continue supporting us now more than ever, but we don't want to have to keep relying on the Manx public," she said.

Government funding accounted for about 24% of the service's total income, compared with 44% in Jersey and an average of 36% across the UK, she explained.

But Hatton insists the hospice is a key part of the island's healthcare system.

"Last year about half of the deaths on the Isle of Man were supported by the hospice either in our in-patient unit or through our Hospice at Home [service]", she said.

Hatton said the hospice touched many families across the island.

"There's not many people that I have met in the short five months I've been in this role that don't have some story to share with me about how Hospice [Isle of Man] supported them, or a loved one, or a friend, or a colleague through incredibly difficult times in their lives."

But as part of cost saving measures, the charity said it would stop "filling gaps in the wider healthcare system".

Hatton said making "difficult decisions now" were needed to "protect the long term future".

Hospice Isle of Man said it would continue working with the government and Manx Care and planned to launch a campaign in May calling for "a fairer funding model" and an increase in government support.

In a statement the Department of Health and Social Care and Manx Care said it was committed to supporting the hospice to continue providing its services.

It added that a number of services, including physiotherapy and occupational therapy would transition from the hospice into Manx Care.

The healthcare provider was working with the hospice to make this a smooth transition for patients, it added.

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