Published on: Tuesday 09 Jun 2026 at 00:00
“Today we are announcing a significant programme of change designed to secure the charity’s future and ensure it can continue providing outstanding specialist end of life care for local people for years to come.
As part of the changes, the hospice has reshaped some services and redesigned the way it delivers care across West Essex and the borders of eastern Hertfordshire. This has resulted in 11 redundancies. We are deeply saddened to be losing skilled and compassionate colleagues and recognise the valuable contribution each person has made to patients, families and the wider organisation.
These decisions were not taken lightly. They followed a period of careful review in response to increasing financial pressures, rising demands for specialist palliative and end of life care, and NHS funding that has not increased in line with rising costs.
While the hospice’s financial position is now significantly more secure that it was at the start of the year, this stability will continue to depend heavily on the support of the local community.
Following the outpouring of public support when the proposed changes were first announced, we launched our Fund Our Care appeal. The appeal raised almost £60,000, sending a powerful message about the value local people place on hospice care and their desire to see it remain available for future generations.
Cost reductions have been made across almost all areas of the charity, including leadership and management. At the same time, St Clare Hospice has maintained its ability to generate income through fundraising, retail and lottery, recognising that donations from local people will remain its most important source of funding.
As part of the changes, the hospice will no longer provide daytime personal care visits for people nearing the end of life, the Compassionate Neighbours programme, dementia care groups, or carers support services. Capacity within some specialist nursing and medical services have been reduced. However, the majority of core hospice services remain unchanged.
While difficult, these changes have enabled St Clare Hospice to ensure financial security and sharpen its focus on its core purpose: providing specialist end of life care for people with complex needs, wherever they call home.
Going forward, St Clare Hospice will organise its services around two core areas:
- Community Hospice Service: providing specialist end of life care for patients living in their own homes or care homes.
- Inpatient Unit: delivering specialist care with the hospice’s eight-bed In-Patient Unit.
Patients may move between these services as their needs change, but the focus remains the same; ensuring people receive expert, personalised care in the place where they want and need it.
The hospice’s multidisciplinary teams will continue to provide specialist support through its In-Patient Unit and 24 Hour Advice Line. Referrals can be made by healthcare professionals, and the hospice also welcomes self-referrals from patients and families.
Over the coming months, the hospice will work closely with patients, families, service users and healthcare partners to embed this new way of working and ensure local people understand the support available to them.
Working together to improve end of life care
St Clare Hospice recognises that specialist palliative care is one part of a much wider end of life pathway.
Many people living with frailty, dementia and other life-limiting conditions need high-quality care and support. While not everyone requires specialist hospice intervention, everyone deserves compassionate care at the end of life.
A key part of the hospice’s future role will be working even more closely with NHS and social care partners to strengthen end of life care across the region. This includes sharing expertise, providing training and education, supporting workforce development and collaborating in the delivery of services wherever possible.
By focusing its resources on specialist care while helping partners build confidence and capability across the wider health and care sector, St Clare Hospice believes it can have an even greater impact for local people.
These have been incredibly difficult decisions, and I am deeply saddened that talented and caring colleagues will be leaving the charity. I am grateful for the contribution every member of staff makes to ensuring local people receive the care and support they need.
Looking ahead, I am confident these changes provide a sustainable foundation for the future. They allow us to be clear about where we can make the greatest difference: delivering expert specialist end of life care to people with the most complex needs, whether that is in their own home, a care home or our In-Patient Unit.”
– Sarah Thompson, CEO
Seeking support from St Clare Hospice
You will find more about St Clare Hospice services, referral pathways and support available on this website.