Hospice warns of 'adverse impact' of Manx Care Mandate

Charity's chair pens open letter to Tynwald as document casts doubt over future funding

Hospice Isle of Man is warning that the Mandate to Manx Care could have an adverse effect on specialist palliative and end of life care here on the Island.

In an open letter to Tynwald members, the Chair of the Board of Governors has expressed concerns over the charity's future funding.

Hospice's operating costs last year were £6.8 million. More than £5.1 million was covered by fundraising, bequests and donations, while £1.72 million was provided out of government revenue from Manx Care budgets.

Now, however, Chair Christopher Hall says discussions about future government funding have been protracted and delayed, with Manx Care giving notice that Hospice's uplift for 2025/26 will be just £38,000 to £1.755m - well shy of the £2.414m the charity says is required to maintain core clinical services at the current and required level.

Given there is no agreement on future funding either, Mr Hall says it's led to serious financial uncertainty.

He also highlights a steady decline in Hospice's reserves despite cutting headcount by 26 staff and ensuring that 80p in every £1 donated reaches patient care.

Mr Hall also points to the clause in the mandate which reads: "The funding model for these services needs to be reviewed during 2025/ 26 to understand what is appropriate and sustainable."

Hospice is asking for the caveat: "This review should be progressed at pace and completed by 31 December" be added to that clause.

Mr Hall says: 'A funding model, set clearly against an agreed level of service provision and which meets the Care Quality Commission requirement to have a formal agreement with Hospice Isle of Man, can only be to the benefit of all stakeholders. 

'Hospice Isle of Man has had recent excellent engagement with the chief minister, ministers and with a number of MHKs and MLCs. On behalf of our Island community, Hospice Isle of Man asks for your support in translating this engagement into positive early action, to prevent any unnecessary reduction in specialist palliative and end of life care which so many of the people of the Isle of Man, both patients and their families, value and deserve in their time of need.'

Manx Radio has approached Manx Care for comment.