Chief executive Linda McEnhill called for a sustainable financial model for hospices after a cut in ICB funding and the loss of an £80k annual grant for palliative care services.

McEnhill said: ‘On 27 March 2024, just before the new financial year, the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (N&W ICB) cut our statutory funding and the loss of our £80k annual grant has created a significant funding gap at a time when financial pressures are already high. This decision was made without consulting with us, or other key stakeholders.'

The hospice faces annual running costs of around £8m, equivalent to £22,000 per day.

Statutory funding covers just around 20% of these costs leaving a further £17,500 required each day.

A spokesperson said N&W ICB: ‘We are faced with a challenging financial position and we have had to make some difficult decisions, including this one. We are sorry that we were not able to allocate another grant to St Nicholas Hospice Care.

‘More broadly, we are working with local organisations to look at how we can improve palliative and end of life care.'

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'This Government has inherited huge challenges in the hospice sector, as well as a £22bn black hole in the public finances, so these problems will take time to fix.  

'We are determined to shift more healthcare out of hospitals and into the community, to ensure patients and their families receive personalised care in the most appropriate setting, and hospices will have a big role to play in that shift.'