HEARTBEAT SPRING 2025
Spring is a time of change and new beginnings, which this year is reflected in the transformation of our care. Many of you will know that in November 2024 we announced proposals to redesign and restructure our clinical services to tackle unprecedented financial pressures caused by rising costs and growing demand for our care. We have reduced our costs by nearly £1m, achieving two thirds of this by removing vacant roles and reducing hours where requested, equating to 19.8 full time roles. Alongside this we looked to the future demands for our care and support and have redesigned our clinical services to meet this need. Following careful consideration and consultation, we said goodbye to 14 valued colleagues which equated to a further 9.5 full time roles at the hospice. The majority of those affected opted for voluntary redundancy. It has been an upsetting time for everyone touched by plans to restructure our workforce and rethink how we deliver our care. But, we
needed to take action to ensure the long-term future of the hospice. With just 20% of our income coming from the NHS, and shortterm government funding ringfenced to improve hospice buildings, equipment and accommodation rather than ongoing staff costs, it’s vitally important we can fund our specialist care and support. The restructure is enabling us to return to a sustainable financial position, and we are introducing new ways of working so we can maintain the number of in-patient beds available and our care provision across the county. We have 235 members of staff working an equivalent of 190 full time-time roles. Whether individuals are
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working in patient care, in a hospice support role or in one of our shops, everything we do focuses on helping our patients live as well as possible, and supporting their loved ones. We’d like to thank our colleagues and community for their unwavering support during some of the hardest months the hospice sector has ever faced nationally. Together we can continue to make the most of every day for patients and families across Worcestershire. Mike Wilkerson, Chief Executive
How to access our care
Patients who would like support from St Richard’s can be referred by their GP, consultant at the hospital, district nurse, or refer themselves to our community services through our Wellbeing Café. Our support is also available should a patient, or person close to them, want to talk to us directly for information or advice. Just call us at St Richard’s on 01905 763963. No charge is made for any of our services. This is made possible thanks to the generosity of our donors, volunteers, supporters and the local community.