Proposed funding cuts to the Mountbatten hospice with “devastating consequences” provoked a “strong and emotional” response from the Isle of Wight community, a new report shows.
Healthwatch Isle of Wight’s End of Life Care Report, compiled after the watchdog started receiving a ‘significant’ amount of feedback from concerned residents, is on the agenda of Thursday’s adult social care, public health and housing needs committee meeting.
In June, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight announced plans to withdraw £1.4 million a year in funding for the hospice – a disinvestment of around 40 per cent by 2026/27.
The integrated care board’s update report to the committee says its intention is to ‘retain and enhance’ Mountbatten’s ‘excellent support’ to Islanders but that it recognises the ‘challenging financial position’ the changes will have on the hospice.
Between May and July this year, Healthwatch received 984 pieces of feedback, 19 per cent of which was related to end-of-life care services.
Its report highlights personal testimonies of Mountbatten’s ‘outstanding care’, ‘shock and distress’ over the proposed cuts, criticism around a lack of understanding of the ‘Island factor’ and its ‘special circumstances’ and recognition of Mountbatten’s additional services – most delivered in the community.
The document also mentions a ‘lack of engagement’ with Mountbatten and the wider Island community has been flagged as a ‘cause for concern’, disquiet over the impact on other services should Mountbatten funding be reduced and the Isle of Wight’s elderly population being ‘overlooked’.
One resident said:
“I am devastated to see that the funding for our incredible hospice is being significantly reduced. My son passed away there at just 33 years old. The hospice looked after him as one of their own and allowed him, his wife and (children) to make some precious memories all whilst being supported.”
Another commented:
“I sadly speak from personal experience of Mountbatten as in March 2020 my beloved husband died at the hospice following a brutal cancer diagnosis.
“It was only when Mountbatten, and their palliative care expertise, were involved that his pain was finally managed. The NHS did their best, but the difference in care was like night and day.”
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s update report says:
“We have agreed to provide interim funding to Mountbatten Isle of Wight of £527,000 to enable appropriate transition to the proposed new contract from April 1, 2026.
“The new contract is based on equity and fairness. We do recognise the impact it has on Mountbatten Isle of Wight due to its current contract and historical strong levels of funding from the NHS. We recognise the challenging financial position that these changes will have on Mountbatten.”
The Adult Social care, Public Health and Housing Needs Committee will meet at County Hall at 17:00 this Thursday.
Cutting money to worthwhile causes and wasting it on undeserving people and organisations? Good to see the Council is following the Government’s example.
Bloody typical, hit the vulnerable, nice and easy choice. I really hope that the people making this decision get the nastiest forms of cancer and then be told that Macmillan are no longer being able to take on further patients due to cuts. Try fining the local criminals with much heavier fines to help pay for this wonderful service.