NHS Dorset to discontinue funding for Weldmar Hospicecare’s home end-of-life services

A hospice charity has announced the loss of all its NHS funding for providing end-of-life care to individuals in their homes. Weldmar Hospicecare stated that NHS Dorset plans to withdraw a £400,000 subsidy from April 2025, which accounts for 40% of the cost of delivering the service. The charity indicated that the health authority intends to utilize home care agencies instead. NHS Dorset maintained that no final decision had been reached, yet the BBC was shown a letter confirming the hospice’s contract termination. The correspondence, from Sarah Hayward, NHS Dorset’s head of commissioning, stated: “The contract NHS Dorset has with Weldmar expires on 31 March 2025 and it has been decided by NHS Dorset that the contract will not be renewed.” Ms. Hayward suggested that the charity could continue offering care in the future by joining a “framework” of providers. However, Weldmar asserted that the new system was financially unviable. Chief executive Caroline Hamblett explained: “Weldmar was unable to join the Care Framework as under this framework the payment would be substantially less and there would be no guarantee of the number of hours to be commissioned.” She added that the charity is already in a “challenging” financial situation, with a projected £1 million deficit and a reliance on reserves to fund its services. Ms. Hamblett further commented: “These patients require specialist care and support at home, provided by hospices and other end-of-life care providers who understand the complexity of their symptoms.” “The decision for this care to be provided by domiciliary agencies instead of specialist providers, such as Weldmar, is disappointing.” “The reduction in funding will clearly impact the number of people that Weldmar can support when they need it most.” Sue, who receives Weldmar care at her home in Sherborne, remarked: “I feel very safe in their hands and it’s a very nice feeling that they’re there for you.” “They go through everything from living to dying in the nicest possible way, unscary way.” “They do give you hope, of not surviving forever, but [for] everyday life.” In a statement, NHS Dorset confirmed it is reviewing end-of-life care services. Deputy chief executive David Freeman said: “Once this work is completed, we will have a clearer picture of how services are funded in the future. “As of now, we can confirm that no final decisions have been made on how this will be delivered and funded.”” Weldmar Hospicecare also operates an inpatient unit located next to the Winterbourne Hospital in Dorchester.