In 2023 we announced that due to a combination of the cost-of-living crisis, high fuel and energy costs, high inflation and over 15 years of below inflation increases to our government NHS funding, our projected financial deficit for 2023-24 was £1.2million, and that without further government funding for 2024-25 and beyond, we would need to consider closing or reducing our services.

Thanks to the incredible support of The Bolton News with their ‘Save Bolton Hospice’ campaign and the efforts of our generous local community, an extra £670,000 was raised through donations and income generation.

How Bolton Hospice has been affected by the funding crisis

Keeping pace with the NHS pay rise and the increase in the National Living wage and National Insurance contributions alone cost us an additional £295,000 last year and then there are rising costs and no increase to our 2025-26 funding that all exacerbate an already fragile financial situation, creating a significant real term cut to our government funding which led to a projected financial deficit for 2025-26 of £700,000.

As a result of this combination of factors, we continued to face an uncertain future with no ability to plan or sustain our vital services into 2025.  

Thanks to several unexpected and generous gifts left in supporters’ wills, our projected deficit for 2025/26 reduced from £700,000 to £500,000.

The Government announced one-off capital funding for hospices to ease the financial pressure we are facing.

We are pleased to have received £321,556 from the next government release of capital funding for hospices. This one-off capital boost is gratefully received and will enable us to prioritise capital projects such as essential upgrades to the hospice site and digital infrastructure that will directly benefit the quality and efficiency of patient care.

“While this capital funding is a fantastic step forward, it’s crucial to clarify that it does not address our ongoing running costs deficit. Our original budgeted £700,000 operational deficit has reduced to a projected deficit of around £500,000 this financial year, thanks to additional unexpected and incredibly generous gifts in wills left to the hospice over recent months. This half a million-pound shortfall still clearly represents an unsustainable financial position, and rectifying this remains our priority.

To truly secure the future of our vital services and ensure we can plan effectively, we urgently need a long-term, sustainable funding solution for our day-to-day operations. We remain committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to secure a fair and sustainable funding model for hospices, ensuring we can meet the growing demand for our specialist services both now and in the future."

With an aging population and rapidly growing demand for specialist palliative services, Bolton Hospice needs fair and sustainable funding to ensure we can meet the rapidly growing demand for our specialist services.

With fairer sustainable funding, we can provide high-quality palliative care and support both in the hospice and at home, helping to achieve the Government’s strategy to shift more care out of hospitals and into the community and relieving pressure on the NHS.

What are the next steps for 2026?

As we enter the new financial year, we face a substantial running cost deficit that threatens our ability to continue providing the vital hospice care Bolton depends on. With rising costs and limited statutory funding, we must act now to ensure families receive the compassionate support they deserve.

We are encouraged by Government's pledge to overhaul palliative care via a modern service framework process - this recognition of hospice care's vital role gives us hope for the future. However, we cannot wait for those reforms to take effect. The reality is that hospices across the country are cutting services and closing beds and we need to act now to ensure we can continue providing our vital services for Bolton.

Together, we will continue to push for a fair and sustainable funding solution to ensure we can meet the rapidly growing demand for our specialist services and to ensure that the generosity of the people of Bolton is respected, and the value of their contribution maximised by an appropriately fair funding deal.

How can I help to sustain Bolton Hospice's vital services?

Thank you to each and every one of you for the support you have shown Bolton Hospice. Your kindness has enabled us to sustain our vital services and we couldn’t have done it without you – THANK YOU.

There are lots of ways you can continue to support Bolton Hospice this year:

• Become a Champion or Matcher in our Making Every Moment Appeal
• Join our hospice lottery or make a monthly donation to help provide a steady source of income
• Donate pre-loved items or shop locally in one of our charity shops
• Become a patron
• Gift your time as a volunteer
• Attend or organise a fundraising event
• Pledge a gift in your will
• Show your support on social media to help raise awareness

If you are able to, please continue to support Bolton Hospice this year. Your support will help us keep our vital services running.