And much of their income comes from people and companies like those in this magazine.
St Oswald’s Hospice in Newcastle is one of the North East’s most important charitable healthcare organisations, providing specialist palliative and end-of-life care for people with life-limiting conditions. It’s grown into a major regional centre supporting adults, children, and young people, as well as their families, through some of the most challenging periods of their lives. Its work extends far beyond medical treatment, focusing on improving quality of life, offering emotional support, and ensuring dignity in care.
Some of the figures St Oswald’s Hospice must cope with are mind boggling but bear in mind that the majority of the following figures are only possible when people and businesses kindly give their time and help financially with support.
Over the course of a year, Hospices across the region provide around 20,000 bed nights. That’s the sort of number you’d find with a small hospital.
Just under 20% of those were provided at St Oswald’s Hospice.
Across all their services, over 3000 people, young and old, will be supported in some way by the hospice.
It costs around £17m to operate St Oswald’s Hospice last year.
Government and local authority assistance helps, but around £11m needs to be raised every year from charitable donations.
This year’s increase in National Insurance has meant St Oswald’s Hospice has had to find an additional £300,000 per annum/year.
There are 360 staff, 25 shops and close to 1000 volunteers.
This year will see the hospice celebrate its 40th anniversary.
“This is a really challenging time for every hospice because the need for our services continues to increase whilst it is extremely difficult to maintain the required levels of funding,” says CEO Steph Edusei. “We also need to bust the misconception that people must pay to use our services…they don’t, it’s free for patients, you never pay a penny, which is why we rely heavily on donations, fundraising, and community support to operate. Only part of our funding comes from statutory sources such as the NHS, meaning that public generosity plays a crucial role in sustaining what we do.
“Another misconception is that people only come into a hospice to die. In many cases patients will come to us for care and treatment and then go home. Take something like lymphoedema which is a debilitating condition, but it’s treatable. Last year we helped over 500 local people manage this condition. We are about making the most of life, whether that’s for days, weeks, months or years …it’s about quality of life, no matter how long that might be. Our consultants, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, and chaplains work together to support each patient. It should also be emphasised that for many people, we are their lifeline.”
Much of St Oswald’s Hospice’s care is aimed at people living with serious illnesses such as cancer, neurological conditions, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses, but care is not limited to physical symptoms; it also addresses emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs. Therapies and bereavement support are also offered, ensuring that families and carers receive help alongside patients.
St Oswald’s Hospice, spearheaded by CEO Steph Edusei, is far more than a medical facility; it is a beacon of excellence, community and kindness. Through compassion, respect and dignity, it supports and treats thousands of people each year through it wide range of specialist services. It has become an essential pillar of care in the North East. Steph’s team of staff, volunteers, and donors, ensure the hospice continues to make a profound difference to patients and families when they need it most.
The best way to support St Oswald’s Hospice is by donating monthly – this will help them ensure that no one faces their toughest times alone.
It will fund the work of the doctors and nurses, improvements to services (free of charge to all who need them), and protect the future of St Oswald’s Hospice.
To donate and for more information, visit:
Donate Monthly | St Oswald’s Hospice
www.stoswaldsuk.org
