Sussex hospice funding crisis: Government urged to help

The Crawley-based hospice - which cares for patients from across Sussex - says it is having to cut the number of staff and has put plans for a new hospice in Pease Pottage on hold because of a massive drop in income caused by the pandemic.

Hospice chief executive Giles Tomsett said despite ‘amazing support’ from people throughout the crisis “Covid-19 has placed a huge strain on our income and we’ve had to make the tough decision to change our plans for the next few years to adapt to this changed world.”

The announcement has been met with dismay by members of the public who have taken to social media to call on the Government to provide funding.

Sheila Newman Harris pointed out that “thousands of pounds have been spent given to councils by central government for pop up cycle lanes no one is using.” She said it was an “Appalling waste of taxpayers’ money.”

Annabel Morgan agreed: “It’s scandalous.”

Caroline Collins described it as “truly heart-breaking” and urged people to donate anything they could spare to the hospice.

Paula Jane Cunningham agreed the Government should help.

Karen Brown said he hospice “should be government funded.”

Many expressed sadness at the news and praised hospice staff for their work.