Three reasons to be (a little more) cheerful

Barely a month has gone by in the last year without a hospice announcing cuts. LOROS are the latest to do so. 

But, there has been some good news in recent week. 

Manchester City Council has announced that people in their last year of life will now be exempt from paying council tax. This is an issue both Marie Curie and Hospice UK have lobbied on. 

In Scotland, a £5 million funding announcement means that hospice staff pay will match that of those working in the NHS. Again, this comes on the back of pressure from Scottish hospices and Hospice UK.

But the most eye-catching news is North West London ICB’s £10.7m funding boost for four hospices. In the current environment this is welcome and heart warming news. 

So, what brought it about? 

What caught my eye in the ICB’s statement was the comment that this was ‘due to the clear benefits for residents to access equitable, quality care across eight boroughs, and its value for money’.

If personal stories were the evidence base for the statutory funding of hospice care, there wouldn't be a crisis facing the sector. But in the world of commissioning, demonstrating that increased investment will bring 'value for money' is the key. 

This in itself requires a focused approach. Lindsey Bennister, CEO of St Luke’s Hospice, one of the hospices involved, shed further light on the how this funding was achieved;  

'This is a great example of collaborative working between hospice partners and the ICB, with involvement from the local community, which will have a profound impact on the support and care available for people with life-limiting illnesses.' 

In other words, like the other two stories, this news shows the power of The Three P’s that are vital to any advocacy campaign. 

Persistence in making your case. 

Partnership in doing so with others. 

And Proof in the evidence you provide to demonstrate it.

Obviously, many, if not most hospices will have suffered frustrations in their attempts negotiations with commissioners. But these stories show that you can be successful.

In the words of Emily Carter, CEO of Royal Trinity Hospice, another beneficiary, 'NHS North West London is showing the rest of the country what is possible, and I hope other NHS commissioners follow their example to prevent further service cuts to hospice care elsewhere.' 

Let's hope so indeed.