Charity hospices in £1m shortfall

The charity cares for 2,500 out-patients at two hospices

Two hospices that care for thousands of terminally ill adults in Cornwall are facing a £1m shortfall this year.

Cornwall Hospice Care's annual running costs are £5m and the charity relies on donations for 85% of that.

But legacies, which normally account for about £1m of income, have dropped to about £600,000 and costs are rising.

The charity, which has launched an appeal, treats more than 2,500 patients a year at Mount Edgcumbe in St Austell and St Julia's in Hayle.

Lay-offs fear

Nursing Director Rhona Ewing said: "We simply haven't enough funds to meet our annual running costs and, without the support of the local community, the future of the charity is in jeopardy."

The charity is also being forced to consider staff redundancies.

The charity has also been talking to Cornwall and Isles of Scilly NHS about funding based on people cared for rather than a fixed sum.

Paul Brinsley, the charity's chief executive, said: "They understand our difficult financial position.

"We are looking forward to an improvement in the way we are funded in the future."