ARDGOWAN Hospice in Greenock has launched an urgent public appeal to plug a funding gap of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The hospice, which costs £11,000 a day to run, says several factors have led to the deficit:
— Rising staffing and operational costs
— Increased demand for hospice and community services
— Government funding levels that do not reflect the full cost of delivering specialist palliative care
— Wider economic pressures affecting charitable income
Graham Gardiner, chief Executive of the hospice, said: “To achieve the Scottish Government’s stated aspiration of funding parity, Ardgowan Hospice required £575,000 this year; however, only £157,000 was awarded. We continue to engage with the Scottish Government on longer-term funding solutions, but as a small local charity we cannot rely on reserves while waiting for these issues to be resolved.
“As a result, Ardgowan Hospice has undertaken a significant organisational restructuring to protect frontline services. This has included the difficult decision to remove senior management roles and to create new shared-service partnerships to reduce costs. These changes were not taken lightly, but they were necessary to ensure that our essential patient and family services remain unaffected.
“Despite these challenges, for now our doors remain open, our services remain unchanged, and our commitment to compassionate, specialist palliative care is unwavering.”
Dr Holly McGuigan, consultant in palliative medicine, at the hospice said: “I see every day the difference this charity makes to patients and families across Inverclyde. Ardgowan is not just a service; it is comfort, dignity, and reassurance at the most vulnerable moments of life.
“This year, we are proud to celebrate 45 years of Ardgowan Hospice, 45 years of caring for our community when it matters most. We want nothing more than to be here for the next 45 years, ensuring that people in Inverclyde continue to receive the compassionate, specialist care they deserve. Unfortunately, this future is currently not guaranteed.”
