Following recent cuts to its funding, The Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will now be able to keep the beds previously threatened with closure open, thanks to significant public donations.
The Cambridgeshire end-of-life care charity projects the public donations will allow the beds to remain open for the next 12 months.
As previously reported in HI HUB the charity was facing the closure of nine of its 23 beds – a 40% reduction in its inpatient capacity.
News of the reprieve comes after pressure from local MPs and the public, who have been campaigning to save the specialist palliative care beds at Arthur Rank Hospice, fearing that the impact of funding cuts to hospices will see more corridor care in hospitals, and putting increased pressure on emergency care.
15,000 members of the public signed the petition aimed at reversing the cuts, with many also donating to the campaign.
It is hoped that the hospice’s year-long reprieve will allow it time to secure more permanent funding.
“Incredibly Grateful”
Sharon Allen, CEO of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, said: “We are incredibly grateful to our local people who have rallied around to support us. Everyone deserves the outstanding care our colleagues can offer when they need it, and we are grateful that, for now, we are in a position where beds are not reduced”.
She continued: “Over the coming months, we will continue to explore new sustainable funding opportunities and plan for increased fundraising needs”.
Local pressure
Cambridgeshire’s three Liberal Democrat MPs met with the Minister of State for Social Care, Stephen Kinnock, and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care Board (ICB) on Wednesday to discuss the high demand for end-of-life care across the region and lobby for Arthur Rank to have adequate government funding.
Ian Sollom, MP for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire, told HI HUB: “I am delighted that Arthur Rank Hospice has secured enough funding from public donations to keep all its beds open for the next 12 months.
“But hospices shouldn’t have to rely on donations from bereaved families and the public to deliver the vital care, support and services they provide. End-of-life care must be properly funded by the Government”.
READ ALSO: Hospice CEO slams “truly heartbreaking” cuts to end-of-life funding and Councillors move to halt “devastating cuts” to Arthur Rank hospices
