St Catherine’s Hospice Implements Service Adjustments Following Job Reductions

A hospice providing support to individuals with life-limiting or terminal illnesses has disclosed modifications to its services, following the elimination of numerous positions during what it characterized as “a tough and heartbreaking few months.” St Catherine’s Hospice, which serves West Sussex and Surrey, had previously stated in September its requirement to save £1.5m and eliminate 40 jobs to ensure its continued operation. The organization indicated that these resulting service adjustments would encompass revised operating times for its telephone advice line, updated ward admission hours, and a refined strategy for handling referrals. A request for comment has been directed to the Department of Health and Social Care. In his announcement regarding the modifications, St Catherine’s Hospice chief executive Giles Tomsett stated: “It’s been a tough and heartbreaking few months but we remain committed to our ambition to provide care to as many local people as possible to help them live and die well.” Practical care assistance, including activities such as washing and dressing, for individuals requiring end-of-life care, will now be delivered through domiciliary care agencies within the community. The hospice charity indicated it had revised its referral criteria to prioritize patients with more intricate care requirements necessitating specialized palliative and end-of-life services. Other patients will continue to receive care from their GP and other healthcare providers, with the hospice team offering expert guidance to them as required. According to Mr Tomsett: “With our teams working more closely with other healthcare professionals, providing our expertise for those with complex needs, we can continue to deliver end of life care sustainably, something that’s crucial with the ongoing challenges of hospice funding.” He further stated that the charity would continue to “push for more sustainable, hospice funding” and was “cautiously waiting to see if the government will help us protect our work to support people at a most vulnerable time”.