FALLING donations and rising running costs have created a perfect storm of problems for south Essex’s amazing Havens Hospices as bosses back calls for more sustainable funding from the next Government.

Havens Hospices, which runs both Fair Havens, in Southend, and Little Havens, in Thundersley, has revealed that it will be planning a “deficit budget” for the coming year as it relies on reserve money to fill the gaps.

It comes after a study by a children’s charity showed children’s hospice services are at risk of being “hugely reduced” due to rising costs and a lack of long-term sustainable funding.

Together for Short Lives, a charity for children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions, have warned costs at children’s hospices are “rising rapidly”, with charitable expenditure in 2023/24 up by 12 per cent to £4.5million, compared to the previous 12 months.

The charity has now called for the next Prime Minister to end the “sticking-plaster approach” for funding these services and to commit to a £25m ringfenced grant.

Havens Hospices say the funding is crucial to keep up with the growing demands of hospice care.

Steve Smith, chief executive of Havens Hospices, said: “There is a growing demand for our hospice care, our running costs are increasing, and there are signs that fundraising income is declining - both the number of people who can afford to donate to our charity, and the amount they’re able to give.

“It means that over the coming year, we are planning a deficit budget. The money we have in reserves will cover the gap.

“Almost all the hospices across the UK will be doing the same. We are absolutely dedicated to not cutting any of our services.

“The funding provided as a whole and per child by Mid and South Essex ICB is considerably higher than neighbouring ICBs, for which we are incredibly grateful. However, a sustainable model for funding quality children’s hospice care will allow us to support more local families, who deserve the best possible care throughout their life’s journey.”

In their study, Short Lives Can’t Wait: Children’s Hospice Funding in 2024, they found more than half of children’s hospices in the country ended the 2023/24 financial year in a net deficit totalling to a shortfall of £8.5m.

Together for Short Lives have added that an estimated 72 per cent of children’s hospices are forecasting a net deficit for this year, with the total set to top £30m.

Andy Fletcher, chief executive of Together for Short Lives, said children’s hospices “are at a turning point” ahead of the General Election.

“Our report paints a bleak picture of rising costs, local funding cuts and the prospect of lifeline services for seriously-ill children being hugely reduced unless the next Government intervenes urgently,” he added.

“For 18 years, families have relied on the central NHS funding for children’s hospices. The parties must commit to continuing it for the long term as a £25m ringfenced grant which increases with the rate of inflation.

“Many seriously-ill children will not be alive the next time the UK goes to the polls. We have one chance to get it right for them. They do not have time to wait.”