ST Clare Hospice is standing with Hospice UK in calling on local people to write to their MP in the run-up to Hospice Care Week (October 7th to 13th) to help secure the future of vital hospice services.

This year’s theme is ‘ More than you think’ and highlights the incredible care delivered beyond the walls of a hospice – in local communities, care homes and people’s own homes. Every day, hospices like St Clare, based in Hastingwood and serving the whole of West Essex and the border of East Hertfordshire, help people live well at the end of life, supporting them to be in the place they love most, while also easing pressure on overstretched hospitals and the wider NHS.

But hospices across the UK are under growing strain. Surging costs, combined with inadequate government funding mean that many are facing difficult choices about cutting back services at the very time demand is rising due to the UK’s ageing population.

Because of this, St Clare Hospice is urging supporters to write to their MP and ask them to attend Hospice UK’s parliamentary event at Westminster on 15th October, which will give MPs the chance to hear directly from hospices about what is needed to secure their future and ensure more patients and families receive the care they need.

St Clare’s CEO Sarah Thompson said: “The need for hospice care is rising fast – but the cost of providing care is soaring, too. And with inadequate government funding, many hospices across the UK are on the brink, with services being cut back when they could – and should – be expanding to meet rising demand.

“We will continue to join Hospice UK and others across the hospice sector in calling for a more sustainable and fairer approach to funding hospice care – one that recognises the true cost of providing our essential services and ensures we can continue meeting the growing and complex needs of our community.”

Supporters can add their voice to Hospice UK’s campaign by completing its online form at https://action.hospiceuk.org/hospice-care-much-more-than-you-think

“Every message makes a difference and helps to show MPs just how much their local community values hospice care,” added Sarah. “In just 30 seconds you can help us by inviting your local MP to listen to what St Clare Hospice needs to secure its future, care for more patients and support the NHS.”