Uncertain future for hospice so concerning for those who stand to lose most

By Harrison Galliven, Local Democracy Reporter

Supporters of a South London hospice say they don’t know what they would do without it – but the service faces funding challenges that could threaten its future.

St Raphael’s Hospice provides free, first-class specialist and palliative care to people in Sutton and Merton.

Many who have used the service over the years have praised its ability to allow loved ones to receive considered and compassionate care at home and, in many instances, give them the right to die in dignity.

However, a large part of St Raphael’s services also care for those who are left behind after the death of a loved one.

Lindsay Farenden started coming to St Raphael’s Wellbeing Centre after her husband passed away last year. The centre, located in Sutton, offers sessions three times a week for Merton and Sutton residents.

For Lindsay and the approximately 280 people who use the centre each year, its support has been transformational. She said: “When I first came here, I thought I’d never smile again.

“Bereavement is a very difficult time. My husband was diagnosed late, it made me stressed.”

The centre, jointly run by staff and volunteers, helps people like Lindsay by connecting them with others in similar situations. It also provides bereavement support and organises activities like armchair yoga, arts and crafts, music appreciation, and weekly quizzes.

Lindsay added: “When you talk to other people, you realise you’re not the only one this is happening to. It is like they are holding your hand.”

Its Wellbeing Centre has dedicated support staff like Lizzie Doherty and Pastoral Carer Sister Ann Venita, ensures those who come through the door feel welcome at all times.

Sue Treloggan, spoke about how the centre has allowed her to find new structure in her life following the death of her husband. She said: “After he died, I realised very quickly my world got very small.

“You realise that when you lose your partner, your interactions with other people are far fewer. I retired 18 months ago; I didn’t know what to do with myself. So I started coming on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We have all got different stories, but all of us have got something in common.”

Like Sue, many of the users have either used the ‘hospice at home’ service or had a loved one use it. This service provided planned care for people in the final stages of their illness who want to be cared for in their own homes.

Sue said: “In the last three weeks, we used the hospice at home service. They came every day except Sundays. They allowed me to take a break, and he probably appreciated having someone else to speak to.”

Despite its importance to the community, St Raphael’s had to cut this vital service last year due to funding pressures, limiting its support. Joint chief executive Becca Trower has warned that the hospice must fight for survival unless the central government changes funding.

The hospice, which only receives 27 per cent of its funding from the NHS, has had to make cuts across its service and community provision, which serves over 250 people. She has said: “This Blitz spirit can’t last forever. I don’t know how much more we can trim off before there is nothing left.”

The Wellbeing Centre was not spared from these cuts, and the hospice was forced to remove the centre manager role and reduce staff hours. They also applied for a charity grant to support services for a limited time.

Ms Trower called the financial strain a ‘catch-22’ and has sought the help of local politicians like Sutton and Cheam’s Luke Taylor MP to call for a ‘fairer deal’ for hospices. She added: “Without money, we can’t pay staff, and without staff, we can’t run services.”

Pictured top: Lizzie Doherty – one of three Wellbeing Centre Facilitators at St Raphael’s Hospice (Picture: LDRS)