Implementing staff pay increase could have a damaging impact, says Springhill Hospice CEO

Julie Halliwell, Chief Executive of Springhill Hospice

Springhill Hospice Chief Executive, Julie Halliwell is calling for change after it was revealed that a government funding life-line, put in place to support non-NHS organisations to match a NHS staff 6.5% pay increase, will not be available to all charitable hospices across the UK.

Ms Halliwell said: “At Springhill Hospice we fully endorse the NHS staff pay rise, however implementing this increase across our organisation without government-backed funding could have a damaging impact on the vital care services we offer our community.

“We’re calling on the Government to provide support not just for Springhill but for all hospices, to reduce the impact of the award on hospice recruitment and retention, as well as help protect against a possible reduction in our services that may result from this extra expenditure.”

Springhill Hospice estimates that changes resulting from the NHS pay deal could mean that over the course of the next three years an additional £250,000 will be added to its running costs, which already stand at over £3million annually.

Ms Halliwell added: “The Hospice already relies on the community for in excess of £2million contribution each year, I can only envisage that any additional ‘ask’ will not be able to be met by our community, so sadly we may have to look at service reduction, which in turn will place an additional burden on an already stretched NHS."

Like most hospices, Springhill use Agenda for Change terms and conditions as a guide to their local pay policies for clinical staff - rather than matching the terms and conditions exactly – so it looks likely Springhill, along with the majority of hospices would not be able to access this funding.  

Speaking of the Agenda for Change contract, Julie Halliwell said: “The Government has now set out how it will support non-NHS organisations, deciding that only those who employ staff on an Agenda for Change contract will be able to access the additional funding the Government is setting aside to fund the pay increase.

"With very few charitable hospices employing their staff in this way, Springhill will be among the many hospices who miss out on the Government’s funding which could result not only in a strain on their already stretched resources but also have a knock on effect to local NHS resources, should we have to cut back our services.”

Ms Halliwell, whose concerns have been already been brought the attention of Steve Barclay MP, Minister of State for Health by Rochdale’s Labour MP Tony Lloyd, is hoping that, the Government will reconsider their eligibility criteria, which will benefit the Hospice and the wider community.