Warning more hospices will 'go to the wall' like St Clare's if government doesn't replace funding lost during pandemic

The end-of-life care institution closed more than a year ago after it collapsed into insolvency.

Hospices and other charities across the country are facing a bleak future after the donations many rely on dried up in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

And although the Chancellor has announced £750million to support the sector, ministers have been urged to consider making the cash boost permanent for palliative services.

“They will have to consider things very carefully,” said Coun John McCabe, of South Tyneside Council.

“The way they have opened the Exchequer is a drop in the ocean compared to they’re dealing out at the moment.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to says we need to consider bringing this in the realms of the NHS, it’s something which any government, whether Labour or Conservative or whatever, will need to take on.

“There’s so many people dying now and it’s bringing it closer to home.”

The government’s announcement of extra funding to help charities affected by the coronavirus outbreak specifically reference hospices and the work they do to support health services.

Earlier in 2020, Coun McCabe wrote to Health Secretary Matt Hancock in his capacity as chair of the North East Region Joint Health Scrutiny Committee calling for a review of palliative care funding.

Coun McCabe added: “People always seem surprised [palliative care] is not part of the NHS.

“Even before the pandemic, 70% of hospices across the country were struggling financially and it’s only through the generosity of the public they maintain their services.

“But without them, where would we be?

“It has got to be a serious consideration and it has got to be central government which takes it on – some, more affluent, parts of the country will support [hospices], but in other parts an economic downturn will see them go to the wall.”

Prior to the COVID-19 lockdown NHS bosses for South Tyneside were working on plans to replace services provided at the former St Clare’s Hospice site.