A Durham hospice has been forced to lay off three more staff over a funding blow to its dementia services.
St Cuthbert’s Hospice today announced that, despite its best efforts, it has not been able to secure the continuation of its community outreach and dementia services.
The original funding for these services was thanks to grant funding, which finishes at the end of September. The news means the hospice has had to lay off three staff.
It comes just months after the site, which has been caring for people with life-limiting illnesses since 1988, was forced to make 18 staff redundant amid spiralling costs.
Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy said the hospice is "absolutely vital" and the services, including those lost today, are "needed more than ever".
Ms Foy said she has already raised St Cuthbert’s with the Secretary of State and has promised to do so again at the earliest opportunity.
A hospice spokesperson said: “With a heavy heart, we have said a sad farewell to a further three valued members of the team.
“We have worked closely with staff members and volunteers to ensure the community outreach and dementia services have ended in an ethical and respectful way.
“We will continue to deliver cognitive stimulation therapy sessions through the Living Well Centre, which remains an important part of our support for people living with dementia.
“The loss of these services is significant - especially at a time when the need for dementia support in our community continues to grow and many other services in the community face similar challenges.
“Because of these service changes, we have made the decision to pause and take stock.
“This period will allow us to reflect on what is needed, what is possible, and what can be delivered in a financially sustainable way.
“Any future decisions will be informed by this evaluation and by our ability to meet the needs of our community in a way which is both impactful but also viable.”
A full statement from Ms Foy said: "Along with residents across Durham, I am extremely proud to have such a wonderful organisation in the city.
"The care, love and support that St Cuthbert’s Hospice provides for families in Durham and beyond is absolutely vital, and this news of further redundancies is more evidence that the Government has to start protecting our hospice sector.
"Hospices are far too reliant on the generous donations of the public, when the service they provide, such as the dementia service which has sadly been lost today, are needed more than ever.
"I have already raised St Cuthbert’s Hospice with the Secretary of State, and I will be doing so again at the earliest opportunity.
"In the meantime, I would encourage anyone who can to support St Cuthbert’s Hospice.
"Whether this is by visiting one of their shops, holding a fundraising event such as the St Patrick’s night I hosted last year, or by making a donation.
"They make a huge difference to the families they work with, and we must make sure it can continue to do so."
As reported, St Cuthbert's lost 18 per cent of the total workforce amid growing cost pressures from the cost-of-living crisis and increasing reliance on donations.
Only 42 per cent of funding for the hospice comes from central Government.
It meant the hospice was forced to shut its adult bereavement service and reduced care at the Living Well Centre - although patient care and children’s bereavement services were and remain unaffected.
The cuts, which included 11 clinical staff, two from enabling services and five from income generation, meant around 100 fewer people were able to access bereavement support.
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Despite the news, St Cuthbert’s thanked the community, saying it had received a number of generous donations and more signing up to direct debit donations.
It said: “We would like to thank our community for once again coming together to support the Hospice and would encourage anyone wanting to do so to contact the Hospice for more information about the difference their support could make.”
If you are able to donate to the Hospice please visit www.stcuthbertshospice.com, call 0191 386 1170 or email hello@stcuthbertshospice.com.
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