Tracy Flynn of Ayrshire Hospice is the latest to speak out.
The chief executive of a Scottish hospice has joined calls for more financial help amid a funding crisis in the sector.
Tracy Flynn, CEO of the Ayrshire Hospice, added her voice to growing discontent among those struggling to get by, warning of an “insurmountable funding gap” facing hospices.
Last week the Scottish Hospice Leadership Group (SHLG) drafted a letter outlining the current funding crisis across all hospices in Scotland.
The group, representing 14 sites, said historical underfunding might mean hospices will have to turn people away and cut services if an immediate financial commitment from the Scottish Government is not forthcoming.
Now, Ms Flynn and her team in Ayrshire said they are facing their share of a black hole - which the SHLG say amounts to £25million across the country.
She told Ayrshire Live: “Although we are ready and excited to open our beautiful new, refurbished and contemporary Ayrshire Hospice facility in early 2025, our charity, and our colleagues in Hospices across Scotland feel the enormous pressure to keep pace with NHS salary rises and we do not have the funds we require to innovate the way we would like to.
“The National Insurance hike alone will add approximately £183,000 a year to the Ayrshire Hospice’s salary bill.
“The Ayrshire Hospice is not currently turning any patients or families away or cutting any clinical services.
“Last week, we shared the Scottish Hospice Leadership Group’s call to action around the funding gap with our staff, and we are actively recruiting for new employed and voluntary roles at the Hospice.
“Nothing will negatively impact the quality of the specialist care we deliver. What could be negatively impacted is our innovation and ambition.
“Scotland’s hospice sector urgently needs a funding solution - help for today to build a sustainable framework for tomorrow.
“Without a viable funding solution, palliative and end-of-life care across Scotland will face severe challenges.
“We are extremely fortunate and grateful that the community of Ayrshire and Arran are so supportive of our charity and it is our belief that Hospice care should always be free, and it is our privilege to deliver palliative and end-of-life care.
“We are closely supported by our partners in NHS Ayrshire & Arran and health and social care partnerships and are committed to excellence in all we do.”
Those across Scotland said there must be a commitment from the government that funding will not be cut.
Jacki Smart, chair of the SHLG and CEO of ACCORD Hospice in Paisley, told Ayrshire Live: “We are calling on the Scottish Government to urgently prioritise funding for hospices, to support pay parity for hospice staff and to commit to a sustainable funding model into the future.
“Our staff deserve to be valued and rewarded similarly to their NHS colleagues.
“Our patients and the people of Scotland deserve to know that our care is there for them when they need it.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson told the National: “Independent hospices are highly valued and we understand the pressures they are facing, which is why Health Ministers continue to engage with the sector and hold open and honest discussions with hospice leaders.
"As well as continuing to work with the Integrated Joint board chiefs and independent hospices to support the longer term sustainability of planning and commissioning.”
