A Cumbrian hospice has revealed its running costs have risen to £5.1 million a year.
Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s only Children’s Hospice, said running costs had risen from £4.8m when the new tax year kicked in this month.
Pay rises meant clinical staff wages alone increased by a total of £139,000 for the year – and it now costs £13,972 a day to provide 24-hour care to all those who need it.
Most of the funding is met by donations from the public, and around a third of that comes via gifts left in wills.
Eden Valley Hospice looked after 197 inpatients last year, while Jigsaw cared for an average of 35 children a month.
Nurse team lead Natalie Munroe-Nuttall and her nurses and healthcare assistants were on the front line caring for patients with life-limiting illnesses.
Natalie said: “We always strive to give the best, compassionate and personalised care, looking after the whole person and prioritising their needs and wants, whether that be a cold drink in the sunshine or inviting their most loved pet in to see them – even if that pet is a horse.
“My favourite part of my job is seeing the difference we make. Often patients and their loved ones get here and can breathe a sigh of relief that they are safe, well cared for and in a peaceful setting.
“Having the time to care for people well and really prioritise getting to know them as an individual and tailor their care around that is a really special thing.”
Deborah Ivison, nurse team lead at Jigsaw, said her role involved balancing clinical, leadership and administrative responsibilities.
She said: “I supervise and support a team of nurses and healthcare assistants, offering guidance and mentorship to ensure high standards of care.
“Clinically, I provide direct patient care, particularly in complex cases, end-of-life care, and care after death.
“I feel incredibly privileged to support the children and young adults in my care. Creating precious memories and providing holistic, compassionate care in a home-from-home environment is truly special.”
Working with the local community to improve perceptions and support for those needing hospice care is a big part of Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw’s work.
A gift in your will could fund someone like Karen Dutton, who is Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw’s outreach and engagement officer.
Karen’s role involves building relationships and connecting with others, including people with life-limiting illnesses, and organisations and groups providing support to them.
She said: “I help identify their needs, gaps in support and then find potential for collaborative working to improve the support we provide.
“One moment that stuck with me as one where I’d made a positive impact was a conversation with someone with a palliative diagnosis. They thought a hospice was only a place to die. Having a tour of the hospice and being able to chat about their fears gave them more confidence.”
Receptionist Andrea Walker said: “My work requires me to have a vast amount of knowledge about almost everything that could be happening at the Hospice daily, from visitors to training courses to busy clinics to visiting Pets as Therapy dogs.
“I am a people person; I love meeting new people. My favorite part about my job is having the time to be there and listen, showing compassion to visitors who may be going through a very difficult time. That sometimes means being a listening ear or just making someone a cup of tea. To be able to offer support to visitors in a friendly, safe environment is very rewarding.”
Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, in Durdar Road, Carlisle, are among 143 hospices across Scotland, England and Wales taking part in the Hospice UK National Legacy campaign to raise awareness of their work and the need for public support.
