The Welsh Conservatives have called for urgent action after Hospice UK warned that hospices across Wales are facing rising pressure on staff and growing calls for sustainable funding.
A new survey found that all adult hospices in Wales are caring for patients with increasingly urgent and complex needs, while half reported staff distress linked to turning patients and families away or not having enough time with those they do reach.
Hospices provide vital care for people and families at some of the most difficult moments of their lives. They also help ease pressure on the NHS by supporting patients in their own communities.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Natasha Asghar MS, said:
“These findings are deeply worrying. Hospice staff do incredible work supporting patients and families through the most difficult moments imaginable.
“But they cannot be expected to carry on facing rising demand and growing pressure without proper support.
“Plaid Cymru must now deliver a sustainable funding model for hospices in Wales, so patients can receive the compassionate care they deserve, when and where they need it.”
