Hansard

I thank Sue Webber for bringing such an important debate to the chamber. I want to highlight the critical role that Ayrshire hospice plays in my region and how such a charity can make a significant difference by providing compassionate care to those in need when they need it and, by doing so, relieve pressure on the NHS.

Earlier this year, I met Tracy Flynn, the chief executive officer of Ayrshire hospice. Tracy is passionate about the hospice and about giving the best care to everyone in the community, and the hospice itself goes beyond cancer care with a dedicated community team covering the entire region. Its 24/7 availability not only serves as a lifeline to families in moments of crisis but prevents unnecessary strain on the NHS by reducing emergency admissions. In addition to comprehensive cancer care, the hospice offers a range of services, including respite and response, bereavement counselling, the living well service and more.

Tracy also emphasised the importance of effective collaboration between the hospice and community hospitals. It is clear to me, and it is crucial to acknowledge, that a well-functioning hospice, such as Ayrshire hospice, provides immeasurable cost savings for the NHS. However, hospices exist in a challenging landscape. Only just over a third of hospices’ income comes from statutory funding; they have to fundraise the rest. As has been said, hospices face an expected deficit of £16 million this year, largely due to the cost of matching the NHS pay awards. The fact is that, to retain their key specialist staff, they need to match those pay rises.

Ayrshire hospice is one of three Scottish hospices that are funded directly by the health board, not by the health and social care partnerships. It has received just under 50 per cent of its funding from NHS Ayrshire and Arran, which falls short of covering the pay awards. Hospices must provide those pay awards independently in order to retain and recruit clinical staff.

Hospices are seeking a new framework for funding that will provide future guarantees, and they want funding that fully covers the pay awards to be passed on—and in a timely manner, too. That new framework could ensure that funding reaches hospices directly, preventing a widening gap between hospices and the NHS. Hospices also wish to remain independent but, in order to innovate and support palliative and end-of-life care that is fit for the future, they require more sustainable funding.

Through her dedication, Tracy Flynn has fostered strong relations with NHS Ayrshire and Arran, and I am pleased to hear that the new hospice building is well on track to be opened in autumn or winter 2024. However, not all hospices are as fortunate. I have previously raised those issues in the chamber with the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jenni Minto for meeting me and Tracy Flynn in the Parliament.

We need to commit to supporting our hospices and guarantee that individuals in need can access high-quality care. Our hospices play a crucial part in the healthcare system. As the demand for palliative care increases—indeed, it is predicted to increase by 20 per cent by 2040—and with the NHS under significant strain, the importance of the support provided by charitable hospices has never been more important.