Alberto visited LOROS Hospice in Leicester to hear first-hand about the significant financial challenges facing the charity, which has already started making difficult cuts to patient services.
The Hospice provides free, high-quality and compassionate care to terminally ill adults, their families and carers across Leicestershire and Rutland. This year, LOROS will be celebrating 40 years of dedicated service to the community.
LOROS recently announced a £2 million funding shortfall, leading to the reduction of inpatient beds, Day Therapy Enablement, Complementary Therapy, and Chaplaincy services, alongside closing its Volunteer Home Visiting Service. Although the charity has received funding from the Government’s national capital hospice fund to modernise facilities, this cannot be used for staffing or day-to-day costs, which leave ongoing financial pressures unresolved.
The Government's decision to raise employer National Insurance contributions from 13.8% to 15% from 6 April 2025 has added costs for GP practices, hospices, and social care providers, forcing some to cut staff and services. Hospices in England typically receive only 30-33% of their funding from the NHS, relying heavily on charitable fundraising to cover essential care, leaving thousands of people without access to palliative services each year.
Alberto Costa said “LOROS is an outstanding local charity which has provided invaluable support to countless families in Leicestershire over the last 40 years. The funding shortfall they face is concerning, and the cuts they have been forced to make will be felt across as our community.
“It is crucial that we protect access to the highest standards of end-of-life care. I am grateful to the many generous constituents that support LOROS in whatever way they can. I will continue to hold the Government to account on this issue.”
