Hospice in the Weald has today announced proposals to withdraw its Service for Children and Young People.
There will be a 30‑day consultation period, with 10 roles at risk of redundancy. We are supporting colleagues and families through what we know will be an incredibly difficult time.
Like many hospices, Hospice in the Weald is experiencing rising costs and funding that has not kept pace. National Insurance increases, NHS pay uplifts, National Living Wage rises and wider inflation have all added significant pressure.
The Service, which currently support 33 families with care delivered in people’s own homes, has not grown in the way we had hoped. The gap between the resources required and the number of people we are able to reach has become increasingly difficult to maintain.
This proposal reflects the financial reality we are facing and the responsibility we have to protect the future of our hospice, ensuring that we use our resources to achieve the greatest impact for the communities we serve.
We know how important it is that families hear this news in the right way. Our teams are making personal phone calls to every family, and we will continue to work with system partners to ensure safe and compassionate handovers if the proposal goes ahead.
Chief Executive Nick Farthing says: “This has been an extremely difficult decision. We value this service deeply and are proud of the difference it has made. Sadly, Children’s Services is one of the areas where the gap between the resources required and the number of people we are able to reach has become increasingly difficult to justify. By making difficult decisions now, we can safeguard our long‑term sustainability and continue being here for our community for many years to come.
“None of this takes away from how hard this feels. But we also have to be honest. We must focus our resources, our people, our time and our funding where they can have the greatest impact for the greatest number of people.”
Today’s announcement comes at a time when hospice funding is not fit for purpose. Hospices across the country are being forced to make difficult decisions because successive governments have not ensured that hospice care for adults or children is properly funded. We support Hospice UK’s Fair Funding campaign and will continue to advocate for a sustainable national solution.
We know that many people reading this news will feel a strong urge to help. We are incredibly grateful for that instinct. We want to continue being there for patients and families when they need us most.
The most impactful way you can help is by supporting the hospice financially. We rely on our local community for over 80% of our income, and in the current financial climate, maintaining and growing that support is vital.
