Hospice Isle of Man has announced service cuts and redundancies after operating at a deficit for the past six years.
The charity announced the changes citing an “increasingly unsustainable” financial position.
A spokesperson said the organisation had been operating at a deficit for six years due to rising costs, an ageing population, and a funding model where government contributes just 24% of total income.
The charity stated this compares to 44% in Jersey and an average of 36% in the UK.
Difficult Decision
In a statement, Hospice Isle of Man said: “As a result, we have had to make the very difficult decision to reduce our cost base, refocus our services and stop filling gaps in the wider healthcare system.”
The changes will include redundancies for some employees and alterations to certain services.
The charity said its priority will be to protect its core provision, namely its in-patient unit, Hospice at Home and Rebecca House Children’s Hospice.
The organisation acknowledged the impact on its workforce and the wider community, adding: “These changes are being made to ensure we can continue to provide compassionate care, dignity, and clinical excellence for those in the final weeks of life, now and into the future.”
Hospice Isle of Man said it will continue to work with government and Manx Care and plans to launch its #FairFundingHospiceIOM campaign in May, seeking more money from government.
The charity said: “This is a sad moment for Hospice care on our island, but also a necessary step to protect Hospice care for future generations.”