VIRUS COULD SPELL END FOR HOSPICE CARE
FundingcrisiscastsdoubtoverfutureofspecialistKilbrydepalliativecentre
The future of Kilbryde Hospice is in doubt after a funding crisis emerged in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The News can exclusively reveal that the £4m palliative care centre at Hairmyres Hospital is facing closure after losing £300,000 worth of funding since the start of lockdown.
Chief executive Gordon McHugh said yesterday that the “lifeline” hospice and the families who desperately need its care could now “be facing the unthinkable” if the board can’t find a way to plug the funding gap.
Now the hospice is in crisis talks with the Scottish Government and Scottish Hospices in an effort to secure its survival as the country prepares to exit lockdown.
Mr McHugh told the News: “The stark reality is that, due to the coronavirus, we now find ourselves in one of the most challenging and unprecedented times many of us have ever had to face.
“We have already lost around £300,000 of the £2.9m annual running costs for the hospice.
“These have been lost or
postponed, with most fundraising activity forced to come to a halt.
“We have also had to close all four of our charity shops.
“We have become a lifeline to so many families, but right now the hospice and the families who need our care could be facing the unthinkable if we don’t find ways of meeting the loss of fundraising income.
“There are discussions being held with the Scottish Government and Scottish Hospices and we await the outcome of those.”
During the pandemic, the hospice has been providing vital support to NHS Lanarkshire, helping with the need of COVID-19 patients – that’s on top of continuing to provide vital services for the terminally ill.
The charity exists to provide care and support to people affected by life limiting illnesses such as cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, COPD and many others.
They also support families, carers and people who have been bereaved.
Calling for the support of the people of East Kilbride and beyond, Mr McHugh added: “Kilbryde was built by the community for the community.
“In light of the huge financial losses we face in the coming months, we need the support of our community now more than ever.”
As well as providing 12 beds for ‘end of life’ care, the stateof the-art facility – a lasting legacy of late founder Tony McGuinness – offers a range of day facilities including drop-in sessions, counselling, care at home, music therapy, complimentary therapy, a befrienders service and sanctuary room.
Scottish Labour spokeswoman, Monica Lennon, said it was vital that the hospice received funds: “Kilbryde Hospice, like many other hospices across the country, are in serious financial difficulty because the fundraising activity they usually rely on has been unable to take place during the period of lockdown.
“It’s vital that the funds which have been promised are released to hospices as a matter of urgency by the Scottish Government.
“It would be deeply unfair if Kilbryde Hospice, which provides such a vital service to the people of South Lanarkshire, is disadvantaged in the allocation of these funds. I will be making representations on their behalf to the health board and Scottish government.”