We must do more to help hospices

Death with dignity and in as little pain as possible is something afforded to hundreds of terminally people in Kent every year – and we must not stand by and allow this to be taken away.

Even with a venerable legacy of providing quality care, Heart of Kent Hospice in Aylesford faces the prospect of laying off staff to plug a £1 million black hole in its finances.

Despite benefiting and supporting many health trusts, the hospice – which is run by a charity – actually only receives less than a fifth of its annual income from the NHS, with the rest coming from donations.

Now as Britain’s headlong plunge into austerity threatens every part of the care sector, funding has been frozen for these institutions, even as demand continues to increase.

It is an abdication of responsibility only countenanced by the fact that budget-makers know the third sector will continue to stretch further in order to protect their clients.

Hospices are not a right, but a privilege, not only helping supporting patients and families in death, but helping terminally ill people to live, manage their conditions and enjoy friendship and companionship.

It is time for health leaders to seriously begin to consider whether this care – rated among the best in Europe – is something they are prepared to pay more for, while it is up to all of us to decide if we are willing to support these charities.

In our darkest hours, hospices are there to help. Will we be there for them?