TYNEDALE Hospice at Home has joined 11 of the region's hospices in calling for more government support.

Hospices across the North-East are predicting £1m of additional energy costs this winter - and now fear donations won't be enough to sustain end-of-life care services.

Tynedale Hospice at Home, based in Hexham, provides end-of-life nursing care in the home, a hospital transport service and pre and post-bereavement services for children, adults and families.

The charity's work costs over £1m per year to deliver, and now service users have the additional worry of rising energy bills or not having a choice about where they die, the hospice has said.

Mike Thornicroft, CEO of Tynedale Hospice at Home, added: “We are really grateful to our community for their generosity which enables us to provide care free of charge to all who need it at some of the most difficult times of their lives.

"We receive less than 7 per cent of our income via statutory resources and relying on fundraising and sponsorship will become increasingly difficult as we all struggle with rising costs. But the people and companies that support us are also facing the same financial pressures. That’s why we need the Government to step in”.  

The hospice, which also runs a number of charity shops and a furniture store, was rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC ) after inspection in the categories of Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led.

The 12 hospices across the North-East and North Cumbria, including Hospice Care North Northumberland in Alnwick, must raise a total of more than £31m each year to keep services free and available.

Hospices North East and North Cumbria (HNENC) was set up in 2017 to improve the provision of palliative and end-of-life care across the region.

Hospices calling for government support

  • Alice House Hospice, Hartlepool
  • Butterwick Hospice Care, Stockton-on-Tees and Bishop Auckland
  • Eden Valley Hospice & Jigsaw Cumbria Children’s Hospice, Cumbria
  • Hospice at Home Carlisle & North Lakeland
  • Hospice at Home West Cumbria
  • Hospice Care North Northumberland
  • St Cuthbert’s Hospice, Durham
  • St Oswald’s Hospice, Newcastle
  • St Teresa’s Hospice, Darlington
  • Teesside Hospice, Middlesbrough
  • Tynedale Hospice at Home, Hexham
  • Willow Burn Hospice, Derwentside