Hospice Doctor Warns Islanders Could “Die Badly” Under NHS Funding Cuts

Mountbatten Isle of Wight’s senior consultant in palliative care has warned Islanders could face “dying badly” if major cuts to hospice funding go ahead.

Dr Paul Howard told the Isle of Wight Council’s adult social care, public health and housing needs committee he was “really worried” about NHS plans to reduce support for the hospice by £1.4 million a year – around 40% of its current funding – by 2026/27.

He explained the Island’s mortality rate is 50% higher than the mainland and said Mountbatten is involved with three quarters of all deaths on the Isle of Wight.

Mountbatten has said up to a third of its funding comes from the NHS, with the rest relying on Islanders’ generosity through fundraising, donations, gifts in wills, grants and charity shops.

Committee members agreed to recommend “constructive dialogue” between the hospice, the NHS and local communities in the hope of securing “timely and stable support” for what they called a “valued Island service”.

James Roach, director of primary care at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, admitted the pace of change may have been “too fast” and confirmed an additional £527,000 in interim funding has been agreed until March 2026.

He said negotiations with Mountbatten were ongoing, adding:

“We’re in a very challenging landscape financially… but the dialogue is constructive, and we recognise the impact these decisions have.”

Mountbatten continues to stress the importance of stable NHS support to help meet the Island’s unique needs.