A HOSPICE has a "heavy heart" after revealing it was forced to make redundancies.

Ten members of staff at St Richard’s Hospice will be losing their jobs as the healthcare provider revealed rising costs made its future uncertain.

The charity, which recently celebrated its fortieth year, said it has received a decrease in funding from the NHS and big increases in costs for care.

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It had made around £613,000 in savings across its operations but an additional £364,000 had to be saved to secure its future.

Despite the redundancies, it revealed no planned impact on hospice patient beds or care provision across the county.

Jenny Cowpe, chair of trustees for St Richard’s Hospice, said: "We put our arms around our community in the most challenging of times, but we simply won’t be here to do that in the future if we don’t redesign our care services and reduce our deficit budget. 

"It’s with very heavy hearts that we now face the prospect of making highly qualified, compassionate and caring professionals redundant and we’re doing everything we can to support colleagues."

The charity relies on voluntary support, including donations, gifts in Wills, retail and events for most of its income, with the remainder funded by the NHS.

But it faces unsustainable rising costs, growing demand for its care and an urgent need to tackle its deficit budget.

Earlier this year, the hospice confirmed it faced a million-pound hole in its budget, which it had been trying to fill.

Mike Wilkerson, Chief Executive of St Richard’s Hospice, said: “We recognise that this period of uncertainty will be unsettling for our team, volunteers, patients and families.

"Whilst this decision is one we wish we didn’t need to make, securing the long-term future of St Richard’s is at its heart.

“Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who helps to fund our care for local people living with an illness that cannot be cured and their loved ones – whether that’s by taking part in our fundraisers, supporting your local St Richard’s shop, or gifting your time to us as a volunteer – the support of our community remains vital for our future.”

St Richard’s Hospice is an independent charity offering free, expert care for adults with an illness that cannot be cured, and support for their loved ones and carers.

Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,100 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.

It will cost in the region of £12m to run the hospice this year, which includes patient care and all the necessary support services.