Queenscourt Hospice launches ‘Your Queenscourt Still Needs You’ appeal as hospice deficits more than double in a year

Community | 14 August 2026

Queenscourt Hospice launches ‘Your Queenscourt Still Needs You’ appeal as hospice deficits more than double in a year

Queenscourt Hospice is calling on its communities to continue their incredible support as it launches the next stage of its appeal, ‘Your Queenscourt Still Needs You’, following a national BBC interview highlighting the growing financial crisis facing hospices across the country. NHS funding covers just 24% of Queenscourt’s core costs, meaning the hospice is heavily dependent on fundraising, donations and grants to maintain its services.

Queenscourt Hospice was chosen as the setting for the national interview, broadcast on Friday 14th August 2026, as hospices continue to operate at a growing deficit.

Hospices across England ended the last financial year with a collective deficit of more than £70 million – more than double the previous year – as rising costs, increased demand and stagnant funding place unprecedented pressure on end-of-life care services.

New analysis from Hospice UK reveals the scale of the financial crisis facing hospices across the country, with at least 33 hospices in England already making significant cuts to services and almost 60% either making changes or considering reductions as they struggle to balance their budgets.

The national growing crisis was highlighted during a visit to Queenscourt Hospice in Southport by BBC Health Editor Hugh Pym, who spent time at the hospice meeting staff, patients and families and seeing first-hand the vital care being provided.

During his visit, Hugh Pym filmed interviews with Toby Porter, Chief Executive of Hospice UK, Louise Charnock, Executive Director of Nursing at Queenscourt, Fiona Mee, Clinical Lead Nurse for Queenscourt at Home, as well as inpatient Iain Kerr.

The hospice has already taken a number of difficult decisions to reduce costs. These changes come at a time when demand for end-of-life care continues to increase, placing additional pressure on already stretched services.

However, Queenscourt says the extraordinary response from its local communities following the launch of its ‘Keep Queenscourt in Service’ appeal has already made a significant difference.

The new appeal is therefore calling on people across Southport, Formby and West Lancashire to continue standing alongside their local hospice – whether through regular giving, fundraising, making a donation, volunteering, supporting Queenscourt’s shops or simply helping to spread the word.

To support the appeal and help Queenscourt continue providing compassionate care for local people and their families, visit: [Your Queenscourt Still Needs You – Queenscourt Hospice]

Toby Porter, Chief Executive of Hospice UK, said:

“Hospices are facing immense pressure. These organisations provide vital care for people at the end of their lives and support for families, yet sadly, Queenscourt Hospice is one of many being forced to cut back their desperately needed services.

“Hospices across the country are seeing costs rise steeply while funding remains unchanged. This means it falls on local communities to try and bridge the gap, leaving vital hospice services vulnerable.

“This was already the worst financial year on record for the sector, yet the outlook continues to deteriorate, with deficits more than doubling in a year.

“Already, nearly one in three people don’t get the care they need at the end of their lives, and financial pressure means nearly six in ten hospices have made or are considering frontline service cuts.”

Louise Charnock, Executive Director of Nursing at Queenscourt Hospice, said:

“We were delighted to welcome Hugh Pym to Queenscourt and to have the opportunity to show him first-hand the vital work our teams do every day to support patients and their families.

“It was important for us to share the reality of the financial pressures we are facing, but also to demonstrate the incredible commitment of our staff and the difference hospice care makes to people at some of the most difficult times in their lives.

“We hope Hugh’s visit will help shine a light on the challenges facing Queenscourt and hospices across the country and highlight why urgent fairer and sustainable funding is so important to protect these essential services.

“We also want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported Queenscourt throughout the most challenging financial period in our 35-year history. The response from our communities has been incredible.”

Queenscourt’s message to its communities is clear: the support received so far has made a real difference, but continued support is vital as the hospice works to rebuild and secure its services for the future.

Your Queenscourt Still Needs You.