The charity will expand from six inpatient beds to nine by January 2027, allowing around 90 more people every year to receive specialist end of life care.
Prospect Hospice said it has received an unprecedented level of public support in its 46-year history. The expansion comes after the charity revealed earlier this year that financial pressures meant it was being forced to turn away six patients every week.
Around 180 people are currently cared for in the hospice’s inpatient unit each year. Once the three additional beds are available, it expects to accommodate around 90 more patients annually.
The extra capacity is also expected to ease pressure on Great Western Hospital by allowing more patients to receive specialist palliative care in an appropriate setting.
Jeremy Lune, Chief Executive of Prospect Hospice, said:
“It’s just brilliant that we are in the position to increase the number of beds on our IPU.
“We’ve been fortunate to have had an unprecedented level of community support in our 46 year history and this is a huge step forward in providing choice and consistency in end of life care.
“Turning away dying people is a heartbreaking position to be in, but now, thanks to the positive power of our community, we will be able to give more people the choice they deserve at the end of their lives.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the people who have dug deep when everyone has been affected by the cost of living crisis and not only enabled us to stabilise, but also to grow.”
Despite the expansion, Prospect Hospice says securing enough long-term funding remains a significant challenge.
Government support is expected to provide just 16 per cent of its annual income, while inpatient care costs more than £1,000 per patient, per night.
Mr Lune said:
“If hospices were funded fairly, we would be able to open 12 beds, the number our community needs.”
Hospices across England have faced financial pressures amid rising costs, with some reducing beds and frontline services.
Charlie King, Deputy Director of External Affairs at Hospice UK, described the expansion as
“a huge testament to the phenomenal support of the local community.”
He added: “Across the country hospices have been closing beds and reducing services at an alarming rate in recent years. Rapidly rising costs and insufficient government funding are putting huge pressure on hospice finances.
“Time and again, communities step up to plug the gap. This is amazing, but in the long run we need government to do the same.”
Among the families to have experienced the hospice’s inpatient care is that of Becca Wallace, who died there aged 45 three years ago.
Her husband James Wallace said:
“Becca was one of only six patients to receive expert palliative care at the hospice when she died three years ago.
“Together with our two teenage daughters, we were all supported through the difficult time and so it’s incredible to know that so many more families will benefit from the care and love that we experienced from Prospect Hospice.”
Prospect Hospice was founded in 1980 and provides free specialist palliative and end of life care across Swindon, north east Wiltshire and neighbouring parts of Gloucestershire.
The independent charity serves a population of more than 330,000 people and relies heavily on fundraising, donations, volunteers and its 17 charity shops.
Supporters raised £7.1 million for Prospect Hospice last year.
