'For the first time ever, hospices will have to turn people away'

Dear Editor Hospice funding is in crisis. Hospices in Scotland provide dignified care for around 21,000 patients and their families every year, but are struggling enormously. Hospices are a key part of the health and care system, but we aren’t part of the NHS.

We are charities that rely on generous donations and fundraising to employ thousands of nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, counsellors, and support staff. READ MORE: Late comedian Janey Godley to go on 'final tour' as funeral plans announced Running a hospice 'changes the way you think about life', says retiring CEO Children's hospice charity CHAS 'needs to raise £60 million' EXC 'In 20 years, it's never been this bad': The crisis hitting Scotland's hospice sector When NHS salaries rise, hospices face the extra costs, but aren’t covered by the government pay awards. This is grossly unfair.

This year alone, salaries have risen by 5.5% for NHS clinical and support staff and 10.5% for consultant doctors.

For hospices, matching this is near impossible. The cost of heating, transport and supplies has soared. From April, the National Insurance hikes alone will add a further £2.

5m to hospices’ wage bill. And the share of NHS funding for hospices is declining. Scottish hospices face an insurmountable funding gap.

Hospice care is always free. There is now a risk that, for the first time ever, hospices will have to turn people away. Cutting services is the last thing any of us want to do.

It would break our hearts. We pro.