Princess Alice Hospice

That this House congratulates Princess Alice Hospice on the occasion of its 40th anniversary; notes that the hospice was officially opened on 20 March 1986 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother; recognises the outstanding care and support it has provided to patients and families across the local community over four decades, both within its In-Patient Unit and in people’s homes; pays tribute to the dedication, compassion and professionalism of its staff, volunteers and supporters; further notes the vital role the hospice plays in delivering palliative and end-of-life care; acknowledges that only around 20 per cent of its annual £12.3 million running costs are met through statutory NHS funding, with the majority raised through charitable donations and fundraising; expresses concern that, despite these efforts, the hospice is currently only able to reach one in four people locally who need its services; highlights the increasing financial pressures facing the hospice, including rising costs and increases in employer National Insurance contributions; and calls on the Government to ensure that sustainable funding is provided so that hospices such as Princess Alice Hospice can continue to deliver and expand their essential services for the next forty years and beyond.