Mountbatten Isle of Wight chief executive Nigel Hartley has expressed his disappointment at the government’s autumn budget “failing to include vital funds for hospices”, warning that the charity is now "in a critical situation".

The independent charity says the sector is facing a mounting financial challenge, with some hospices cutting services.

Mountbatten, itself, is in the early stages of asking its staff and volunteers what they think are its most important services, before engaging with members of the community.

It is one-third funded by the NHS, but this has not risen in line with inflation, and that money is under threat, Mountbatten has revealed.

Meanwhile, hospices like Mountbatten must absorb “the cost of rises in National Insurance contributions, the minimum wage, and the deserved pay awards for NHS staff”.

It means the two-thirds of its funding, which comes from the community, is all the more important.

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“We are terribly disappointed that hospice funding was ignored in this week’s budget,” said Nigel.

“The extra £22.6 billion for the NHS is welcome, but it is unlikely hospices will benefit from this. 

“We are now in a critical situation.

“Is this the beginning of the death of the modern hospice movement?

“We ask you to write to your MP in support of Mountbatten. Tell them how vital our services are to the Isle of Wight’s community.

“We are calling for an immediate cash injection from the government, and more financial certainty moving forwards.”