Rowcroft Hospice calls for urgent reform in palliative care funding amid rising demand

Rowcroft Hospice is urging the government to prioritise funding for community-based palliative care, following new statistics that reveal a stark mismatch between patient end-of-life preferences and how care is currently delivered across the UK.

Founded in South Devon, Rowcroft is an independent charity that delivers award-winning, specialist end-of-life care. Its services span medical support, bereavement counselling, spiritual guidance, music therapy, and more, ensuring patients and families experience comfort, dignity, and joy during some of life’s most difficult moments.

Despite the majority of people wishing to die at home, a recent report by the Office for National Statistics shows that hospital deaths remain disproportionately high. A 2024 study by the Health Economics Unit and Nuffield Trust found that more than 80% of the £9.6 billion spent on end-of-life care annually is used for hospital services rather than community care, highlighting what Rowcroft describes as a "systemic imbalance" in how healthcare resources are allocated.

Rowcroft Hospice CEO Mark Hawkins is calling for a major shift in how end-of-life care is funded and delivered.

“With around a third of NHS costs accrued in the last year of life, we must look at more sustainable and compassionate models of care. Most people want to die at home, and with proper support, this is entirely achievable. Investing in hospice care within communities could not only honour people’s final wishes but also ease the financial burden on the NHS.”

“It’s heartbreaking,” Hawkins added, “that over a third of people who die in hospital do so without any family or friends present. We believe everyone deserves a dignified and peaceful end-of-life experience, surrounded by loved ones in the comfort of their home.”

Serving around 2,500 patients and families annually across South Devon, Rowcroft Hospice delivers a comprehensive range of palliative care services. Approximately 80% of patients are supported in their own homes, from Dartmouth to Dawlish and Dartmoor, thanks to a dedicated team of community nurse specialists, bereavement support workers, therapists, and volunteers.

Rowcroft’s Hospice at Home team provides round-the-clock care and symptom management in a patient's final weeks, helping patients stay comfortable while supporting caregivers with respite and expert advice via a 24/7 support line.

The charity also runs a 12-bed Inpatient Unit in Torquay for those with complex needs that cannot be met at home, offering holistic, person-centred care in a peaceful, home-like setting.

Despite the vital role hospices play in the UK’s healthcare system, Rowcroft receives just 25% of its annual £11 million budget from the NHS. The remainder is reliant on charitable donations and fundraising.

Although the hospice recently received £159,000 in one-off government funding to improve its facilities, Hawkins stressed that this is not enough.

“We are incredibly grateful for the additional funding, but what we need is a sustainable, long-term solution. One-off boosts are not enough to meet the increasing demand from an ageing population with increasingly complex care needs.”

According to Marie Curie, demand for palliative care in England is expected to increase by 26.5% by 2048 - a trend already reflected in Rowcroft’s caseload, which now includes more patients with multiple health conditions and advanced dementia.

To meet future demand, Rowcroft has ambitious plans to build Lavender Square, a new care home tailored to people with dementia and complex needs. This innovative facility will provide specialist palliative care and further reduce pressure on local hospitals.

“Lavender Square is just one example of how forward-thinking investment in community care can create a healthcare system that is fit for the future,” said Hawkins.

Rowcroft is now calling on national policymakers to reform palliative care funding models, ensuring that hospices can expand and continue their essential work in the community.

“We cannot afford to wait,” said Hawkins. “By investing in compassionate, localised care, we can provide people with the end-of-life experience they deserve and reduce NHS costs in the process.”

To support Rowcroft Hospice or learn more about their services, visit rowcrofthospice.org.uk