Cannock Chase MP calls for hospice funding reform after St Giles visit

Josh Newbury visited the Whittington-based hospice for the first time last week (4 August) touring the facilities and meeting with CEO Elinor Eustace to discuss both the positive impact of recent government funding and the ongoing challenges that have forced the closure of a third of the hospice's beds due to funding shortfalls rather than lack of demand.

During his visit, Mr Newbury viewed the newly opened family lounge, made possible through recent government funding for hospice improvements and a grant from the Francis and Eric Ford Charity Trust, while learning about St Giles' services for local people and their loved ones living with terminal illnesses.

Josh Newbury MP said: "It was a pleasure to visit St Giles for the first time and I would like to extend my thanks to Elinor and her fantastic team for welcoming me to the hospice. Many of my constituents in Cannock Chase have told me about the exceptional care and loving environment that St Giles has provided to their loved ones. The number of people fundraising for the hospice I have seen in our area is testament to the high regard that St Giles is held in.

"It was wonderful to see the brand new family lounge which has been made possible by the funding provided to hospices last year, and to hear about the exciting plans for further improvements using the grant funding. However, Elinor and I also talked about the stark financial realities that St Giles, like all hospices, is having to face up to. For a third of its beds to be out of use due to a lack of funding, not a lack of demand, highlights that a fundamental rethink of how the NHS funds hospices is desperately needed.

"Having been heavily involved in the debate around assisted dying in Parliament, I now want to turn my attention to making sure the world-class palliative and end of life care we have in the UK is funded properly and available to everyone no matter where they live. In partnership with hospices and the NHS, politicians have to get this right and I will play my part in that conversation in whatever way I can."

Elinor Eustace, CEO of St Giles Hospice, said: "We were delighted to welcome Josh to St Giles for his first visit. His extensive background in healthcare communications and stakeholder engagement means he truly understands the challenges we face as a provider of specialist end of life care.

"It was encouraging to discuss how the recent government funding has enabled us to improve facilities for our patients and families, including our beautiful new family lounge. However, as Josh highlighted, we continue to face significant financial pressures that have forced us to reduce our bed capacity. With demand for our services continuing to grow, we need sustainable long-term funding solutions.

"Josh's commitment to advocating for properly funded palliative and end of life care gives us great hope. His unique combination of healthcare experience and parliamentary influence makes him an invaluable ally in our efforts to secure the future of hospice care for our community."

St Giles Hospice is a registered charity providing specialist palliative and end of life care, free of charge, for people living with terminal illnesses across Staffordshire and North Birmingham, including Cannock.

The hospice currently operates 15 inpatient beds, reduced from 23 in 2024 due to financial pressures. With annual running costs of £10 million, St Giles relies on community donations and fundraising for the majority of its funding, with less than a quarter provided by government sources. Care is offered at our hospice’s centres in Whittington and Sutton Coldfield, as well as in patients’ own homes across the region.

Josh Newbury is the Labour MP for Cannock Chase, elected in July 2024. Before entering Parliament, he worked in healthcare communications including roles at NHS Birmingham and Solihull, and as stakeholder engagement manager at Health Education England.