Hospices Cymru and Hospice UK find that teams are caring for people with increasingly complex needs, while many hospices are struggling with the spiralling costs. 

Hospices across Wales are warning of growing pressure on their staff as new survey findings show they are caring for patients with increasingly urgent and complex needs, at a time when increasing demand and rising costs are putting this care at risk.

A survey of adult hospices in Wales conducted by Hospice UK shows that all hospices are caring for patients with increasingly urgent and complex needs. Half report staff distress caused by turning patients and families away, or not having enough time with those they do reach, and 40% say staff sickness rates have increased over the past year.

Hospices say these pressures are becoming unsustainable and are directly affecting the well-being of staff who provide vital care at the most vulnerable moments in people’s lives.

These challenges come at a time when palliative care needs in Wales are forecast to rise by 25% over the next 25 years, while hospices continue to face rising workforce costs and wider cost-of-living pressures.

“Our teams are increasingly supporting people who require intensive symptom management, advance care planning and coordinated support across multiple services. We are also seeing growing demand from patients with neurological conditions and younger adults with complex needs, adding further pressure to already stretched services,” said Tracy Thomas, director of clinical and patient services at Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham. 

“Without sustainable investment in hospice care, it will become increasingly challenging for hospices across Wales to continue meeting the rising needs of their communities,” she added. 

Vital role

Each year, Welsh hospices support more than 20,000 children and adults living with terminal illness. Hospices Cymru and Hospice UK said that the new survey findings show clearly how demand and needs are increasing, and emphasised the vital role hospices provide in reducing pressures on NHS and social care services. 

Most hospice care is delivered in the community, preventing unnecessary hospital admissions, supporting timely discharges, and reducing demand on GPs, district nursing and social care teams.

They have called on the new Welsh Government to prioritise a fully implemented, sustainable funding model.

“These findings paint a stark picture of the pressure facing hospice staff across Wales. Teams are caring for people with increasingly urgent and complex needs, at a time when many hospices are struggling with the spiralling cost of living pressures,” said Matthew Brindley, policy and advocacy manager for Wales at Hospice UK. 

“Hospice care is essential, and the people who deliver it deserve the support, stability and resources required to meet rising demand. A long-term, sustainable funding model is now urgent.”