Write, Sign, Share — Mountbatten Isle of Wight fights funding cuts

Mountbatten Isle of Wight has released a film urging Islanders to write or email in support of their local hospice, as it faces NHS cash cuts of £1.4 million in 2026/7.

From this autumn, meanwhile, £600,000 is to be withdrawn from Mountbatten Isle of Wight by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB), which makes decisions about the level of NHS funding awarded to services across the two counties.

This disinvestment decision has also sparked a petition, which has already been signed by over 5,000 people. See below, for how to add your signature.

For a decade, the ICB has provided around one third of the £10.5 million per year that Mountbatten Isle of Wight needs to deliver its 24/7 expert services, in homes across the Island, in St Mary’s Hospital, in its hospice, at the John Cheverton Centre community space and to lymphoedema patients.

Two thirds of the charity’s funding comes from its incredibly supportive community – including through donations grants, gifs in Wills, fundraising events and its dedicated

charity shops.

Without the NHS’s vital contribution, cuts to services and jobs losses are likely at

Mountbatten Isle of Wight.

In Mountbatten Isle of Wight’s emotional film, we meet a patient, Christine, who relies on the hospice’s services.

She is writing a letter to her MP and to Healthwatch Isle of Wight to tell them why Mountbatten is important to her, and to the ICB to urge its commissioners to change

their devastating decision.

Christine urges viewers to follow her lead and to write and email too.

Petition

Meanwhile, a fast-moving Change.org petition has already gathered over 5,000 signatures.

Mountbatten Isle of Wight hopes it will further emphasise the importance of the charity to its community, in its fight to stop the NHS cash cuts (#FightNHSCashCusts).

Please note: Signing the petition is free and you do not have to donate to Change.org. Donating through Change.org does not benefit Mountbatten Isle of Wight.

If the petition prompts you to share or sign, please copy the link and share it with yourself or a friend.

If you would like to donate to Mountbatten Isle of Wight, this should only be done directly through Mountbatten Isle of Wight’s website.

‘It is not OK’

Incoming CEO, Becky McGregor, who has already taken the fight to Westminster, where she spoke to Isle of Wight West MP, Richard Quigley and who is also supported by Isle of Wight

East MP, Joe Robertson, who said:

“Your voice can help Mountbatten Isle of Wight show the ICB that taking £1.4 million from us and reallocating it – apparently to Hampshire-based hospices (not including Mountbatten Hampshire) – is not OK.

“This sudden and unexpected decision was made without meaningful consultation and it will have a far-reaching impact on Isle of Wight end-of-life care, into the future.

“Help us Fight the NHS cash cuts by writing to your MP, Healthwatch Isle of Wight and the ICB.

"Tell them why Mountbatten Isle of Wight is so important to you.

“Ask ICB bosses where Mountbatten Isle of Wight’s money has gone and who will pick up the services Mountbatten will no longer be able to afford to deliver.

“Thank you for your continued incredible support.”