Teesside Hospice, in Middlesbrough, and Butterwick Hospice, in Stockton, have today (June 15) officially united in a “new beginning” for North East hospice care.
The news, announced last month, comes as the sector remains at a funding crisis point – with Butterwick itself running at a loss for several years amid dwindling reserves.
Both hospices, which will now jointly support around 7,000 people per year, continue to face these challenges, with demand also increasing year on year.
But now, they are no longer in competition for the likes of fundraising and retail – and can use each other’s strengths with the hopes to “better serve communities in the future”.
Butterwick Hospice CEO Edward Gorringe and Teesside Hospice CEO Mike Thornicroft (Image: TEESSIDE HOSPICE)
“Today is a new beginning for hospice care across Teesside and County Durham”, Mike Thornicroft, CEO of Teesside Hospice, told The Northern Echo today.
“It is the coming together of two hospices that have been around for more than 40 years that have provided care to tens of thousands in that time.
Teesside Hospice (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
“It is the start of a new era and one that can only guarantee really positive outcomes for the future. In the long term, we think that everyone will prosper as a result of this.”
Mike said it had been an exciting day for both hospices: “A number of colleagues have been competing in fundraising and retail and today is the first day that we all start working together.”
‘Stronger together’
The merger comes just less than two years after Butterwick CEO Edward Gorringe revealed that, without additional funding, the hospice would “simply become unsustainable”.
Mr Thornicroft said today means that Butterwick can continue into the future, despite the financial crisis that both it and many other hospices across the country continue to face.
He said: “The hospice was running at a loss for several years and dwindling reserves meant that they were in a difficult position.
Butterwick Hospice in Stockton (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
“It is really positive that Teesside was in a position to help them.
“The hospice sector in general is struggling. Whilst NHS funding goes up a small amount each year, it doesn’t keep up with inflation.
“We can now get the most out of every event, every fundraiser, that takes place for the benefit of the community.
“Long term, it means patients get a better outcome, and means care for patients can improve everyday. I feel really positive about hospice care across the North East and North Cumbria.
“For me personally, it is a new way of working which the whole hospice sector can hopefully learn from. I hope we can turn this into a really positive experience.”
Teesside Hospice has also seen the impact of the hospice sector crisis first hand, facing a deficit of around £300,000 last year.
Mr Thornicroft previously said National Living Wage and National Insurance Contribution increases this year had been tough – but plans are in place to tackle the next forecasted deficit.
The merger has resulted in two Butterwick staff facing redundancy.
Mr Thornicroft said care users will likely not notice a difference day to day: “The clinical teams will remain the same.
“The location where people receive their support will be the same – but we will be using the same systems to benefit all.
“Mergers are the way forward.”