Happy New Year! I hope this finds you well rested and full of cheese after the Christmas break. I’ll admit I was somewhat looking forward to Parliament coming back – it feels like there is a lot to do in 2025.
Already this week I’ve been speaking in Parliament about the devastating impact the Government’s planned increase to National Insurance Contributions (NIC) will have on West Dorset’s charities – especially our hospices. Weldmar Hospicecare is well known to West Dorset residents as a provider of specialist end-of-life care to patients in their own home, as well as at their inpatient unit in Dorchester. It does fantastic work.
NHS Dorset has notified Weldmar of a £400,000 reduction in Fast Track Funding from April. This cut, in addition to the National Insurance increase, along with ever-rising demand for their services locally, will create an additional financial burden of £600,000 this year.
Weldmar already subsidises 60 per cent of its NHS-commissioned care using charitable funds, but it is not sustainable or acceptable for charities to fill these gaps. The reality is these costs will result in Weldmar being able to support fewer people at the most critical moments in their lives.
Julia’s House, another well-known local charity, which provides care for seriously ill children in West Dorset, faces similarly dire consequences.
Only eight per cent of its income comes from the Government, making it one of the least-supported hospices in the country. The NIC increase alone will cost Julia’s House an additional £242,000 per year: yet their commissioning contract with Dorset ICB has increased by just 0.6 per cent, a rate far below inflation and the 5.5 per cent NHS pay award.
This inevitably means significant cuts to the amount of care available for those at end of life.
Charities like Weldmar and Julia’s House play a critical role in alleviating pressure on the NHS in Dorset. They provide care in our community, reduce avoidable hospital admissions, and support families in their darkest hours.
The Liberal Democrats are campaigning hard to get the government to reverse the NIC increases, or at the very least exempt charities from them. These organisations are the backbone of our communities, delivering essential services and support to those who need it most. They embody selflessness and service. We must protect their critical work and ensure that they can continue to provide comfort and dignity to those in need.
Edward Morello MP for West Dorset
