Queenscourt Hospice has unveiled a recovery plan aimed at securing its long-term financial stability after implementing significant changes to address an annual funding deficit of £2 million. The first phase of the plan includes a reduction in staffing and a halving of inpatient ward capacity from 10 beds to five, effective July 2026. Adjustments have also been made to the Queenscourt at Home, Outpatient, Housekeeping, and Catering services.
Community Support Mitigates Redundancies
Local community donations have helped reduce the number of staff redundancies originally anticipated, allowing the hospice to retain key elements of its Therapy Service. However, the hospice emphasizes that significant long-term funding remains essential to its survival.
With the initial steps to align expenditure with income now complete, Queenscourt is shifting focus to recovery and sustainability. Key priorities include working with NHS partners and hospice collaboratives to secure more stable funding, strengthening income generation and fundraising activities, operating efficiently while maintaining high-quality patient care, raising awareness of the hospice’s impact, and supporting national campaigns for fair and sustainable hospice funding from the government.
Leadership Commitment to Palliative Care
Sam Hawksley, executive director of strategy and business development, commented on the challenges: "While changes have been very difficult, they were necessary to protect the future of Queenscourt. Our focus is now on recovery and ensuring that we can continue to provide Specialist Palliative Care for local people with life-limiting illnesses, when they need us the most."
He added: "We are incredibly grateful for the support shown by our staff, volunteers, and the wider community during this challenging time. Donor support in response to our crisis has made a significant difference to our charity, helping us to start planning the way forward, so that Queenscourt care continues."
Service Levels and Future Plans
Current service levels have been designed to maintain excellent Specialist Palliative Care while safeguarding the hospice’s long-term future. Queenscourt’s directors and trustees thanked the community for its continued support and emphasized that ongoing fundraising and advocacy will play a key role in the hospice’s recovery.
Sam Hawksley highlighted a concrete way the community can help: "If just 8,000 people donated £5 a week, we could bridge our £2 million funding gap and help secure the future of hospice care in our area."
Commitment to Patients
Queenscourt remains committed to supporting patients and their families across West Lancashire, Formby, and Southport, expressing confidence in its future. To support Queenscourt Hospice, visit queenscourt.org.uk/donate or call the Fundraising Team on 01704 517 420. Further information about supporting hospice funding and advocacy is available via the Queenscourt website.
