We are deeply saddened to hear the news today on yet another hospice making difficult decisions and cutting services. The situation at St Giles mirrors what so many organisations across the whole sector are experiencing, affecting countless children, adults and their families.

Within the children’s hospice sector, we are extremely concerned about the future of the Children’s Hospice Grant. At Acorns, the Grant equates to £2 million or a 13% proportion of our income. For an organisation of any size to receive a sudden reduction in income at this level would be unbearable.

It’s unacceptable that in a society that prides itself in providing care from the cradle to the grave, that the vital palliative services children, adults and their families receive from hospices are primarily funded by people jumping out of aeroplanes and organising bake sales.

Hospices are under intense pressure, and without them – families in need will have no choice but to turn to already stretched NHS services that are not equipped to deal with the complex range of care and support they need.

Time is running out. Without urgent Government support, we risk leaving some of the most vulnerable in our society completely on their own.