Claire House hospice faces cuts in cash squeeze
Jan 19 2009 by Emma Pinch, Liverpool Daily Post
Claire House children's hospice _320
A MERSEYSIDE children’s hospice may be forced to axe nursing posts and take in fewer seriously ill children as the credit crunch squeezes its funds.
Claire House, in Bebington, Wirral, which this year celebrates its 10th birthday, has seen a 20% drop in donations over the past six months, and needs to cut five staff to meet the shortfall. Chief executive Karen Wright said they might also have to consider taking in fewer of the most seriously ill children.
“It’s a challenge,” she said. “I don’t want to be in a celebratory year of our tenth birthday, saying ‘Look at the great things Claire House has done over the last 10 years and now we’re having to let staff go’.”
It costs the charity £2.4m a year to run 10 beds for terminally-ill children, respite for carers, and a whole host of emotional support services. It also sends specialist nurses out to patients’ homes.
Last year, the hospice’s income sank to £1.9m and the charity had to take £800,000 out of reserve funds. The largest fall was in corporate donations – down £250,000 to £200,000.
Cash generated by their reserve fund in dividends and interest has also almost halved.
“The general public is still being generous, but, in terms of companies, the social responsibility budget is the first thing that is cut in times like these,” said Ms Wright.
“We need to recoup £180,000 from staff wages – the equivalent of five specialist nurses.
“We’re hoping we can do that though natural wastage.”
