A Liverpool city region hospice says it needs to urgently raise £2m as it faces a battle to maintain the vital services it provides. Andrew Brown reports

Queenscourt Hospice in Southport has launched a Keep Queenscourt in Service fundraising campaign to raise emergency funds for the charity.

And it has revealed it is being forced to consider reducing the services it provides for patients. It comes amid the most financially challenging times it has faced in its 35-year history.

Queenscourt was founded in 1991 and provides compassionate care for patients and their families across Southport, West Lancashire and Formby. It has been impacted by a number of financial challenges.

Last year just 24% of Queenscourt’s funding came from the NHS, with the hospice relying on short-term grants, fundraising and personal donations to meet the remaining cost of its services.

However, the rising costs of salaries, the impact of new tax initiatives such as employee National Insurance, the increase in energy bills and the shortfall in Government funding means that Queenscourt is now operating at a £2m deficit.

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Louise Charnock, executive director of nursing services said: “Queenscourt has been delivering exceptional compassionate care for 35 years, and as we reach this significant milestone in 2026, we face the toughest financial challenge we have ever faced.

“Demand for our specialist palliative care services has never been greater. Yet at the very moment need is rising, our everyday costs are escalating sharply, and our charitable income is falling.

“Queenscourt has been operating with an annual deficit of £2m for the past two years, and the same shortfall is predicted for 2026/27.”

This widening gap facing Queenscourt has been created by a “perfect storm” of pressures:

• Legacy income has fallen dramatically — from over £1.2 million a year to around £250,000.
• Employer National Insurance contributions have risen.
• Staff salary uplifts are essential to keep pace with NHS pay.
• Fundraising is more challenging than ever.
• Retail income is declining along with wider high‑street footfall.

Financial challenges facing Queenscourt are part of a national funding crisis gripping hospices across the UK. Two in every five hospices are preparing to make cuts this year and Hospice UK is also reporting that a total of 380 hospice beds out of 2,000 now lie empty in the UK.

To help support Queenscourt during this immediate funding crisis donations can be made by clicking here or by calling the fundraising Team on 01704 517420 to make a donation over the phone.