Hospices in England provide care for approximately 270,000 people each year (Hospice UK, 2026a). Despite this vital contribution to society, the hospice sector is facing a significant and ongoing funding crisis.

Only 40% of hospice care is funded by government sources. As a result, many hospices rely heavily on volunteers and charitable contributions to bridge the gap. This model is not sustainable. Rising operational costs, alongside increasing demand for services, are not being matched by corresponding levels of Government funding. This has been exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis in the UK, with charitable donations becoming increasingly difficult to secure. 

Hospice UK (2026a) reports that around nearly six in ten English hospices have made or are considering cuts to frontline services. In response, the organisation has called upon the Government to establish a fair and sustainable funding model for hospice care. In April 2026, Hospice UK and Hospice representatives attended Downing Street to present a letter - signed by more than 25 hospices - to call on government to implement the four-point plan for fair hospice funding.

Queenscourt Hospice is no exception. Based in Southport, it has served the communities of West Lancashire, Formby and Southport for over 35 years. However, it has been operating with a deficit budget for several years, with a projected shortfall exceeding £2 million in the coming year. Consequently, plans have been announced to reduce inpatient provision by 50% from July 2026, decreasing bed capacity from 10 to 5. Additionally, there will be reductions across outpatient services, therapies, and Hospice at Home clinical provision.

These changes represent a substantial loss of specialist palliative care services for the local community and will result in the loss of approximately 20 whole-time equivalent posts, including nursing roles from Band 3 to Band 6. Without this urgent intervention to address the financial deficit, Queenscourt Hospice would face the prospect of ceasing all services within the next 18 months. Its current financial position is untenable, with funding levels insufficient to sustain existing provision. 

Regrettably, this situation is not unique to Queenscourt Hospice. Similar challenges are being experienced by hospices across the UK. The continued reduction of hospice services within local communities risks severely compromising access to high-quality palliative and end-of-life care for those who need it most.

As nurses, we recognise the principle that there is ‘one chance to get this right’. In end-of-life care, there is no opportunity to revisit decisions or rectify omissions. This is just one of the many reasons why Hospice services are vital within our communities. Hospice services play an essential role in delivering compassionate, person-centred care, offering choice and support that extends beyond NHS provision. It is therefore critical that these services are not only preserved but strengthened and developed to meet the evolving needs of an ageing population.

The RCN Pain and Palliative Care Forum presented a resolution at Congress in May, focusing on the need to ensure equal access to end-of-life care across all four nations of the UK. The resolution received support from an overwhelming majority from RCN voting members, reflecting strong member advocacy that will now directly influence and guide the RCN’s work and priorities in this area.

Collective action is now required. The nursing profession must lend its voice to advocate for equitable and sustainable access to hospice and palliative care services.

Further resources

• Hospice UK (2026): Press Release: Nearly six in ten Hospices have made or are considering frontline cuts.
• Hospice UK (2026): Fair Funding for Hospices.
• Hospice UK (2026): Press Release: Hospices forced to make cuts head to Downing Street to demand fair funding.
• Queenscourt Hospice (2026): Keep Queenscourt in Service.