Dear Member,
Hospice Isle of Man has announced it is facing financial difficulties. This pressure has been building for several years, with the charity forced to draw down its reserves to continue operating — something its leadership has said is not sustainable.
As a result, voluntary redundancies are now being considered and services may be reduced.
Whether government knew or not, it should have — the pressure on Hospice has been building for years and needed to be addressed sooner.
Given the vital role Hospice plays for the people of the Isle of Man, it is clear that government support must now be strengthened to ensure the continued delivery of this essential care.
Over the past three years, the Isle of Man Government has contributed around £1.7 million per year. While this support is welcome, it represents only about 25% of Hospice’s annual running costs of approximately £6.8 million.
The remaining 75% — around £5 million each year — is funded by public donations.
At the same time, approximately £7 million has been spent on overseas aid.
This raises serious questions about priorities.