Update: Hospice restructure to introduce a new clinical model and adapt to the ongoing impact of COVID-19

In October the Hospice announced it would be carrying out an organisation-wide restructure.

These changes reflected our ambition to develop a new hospice service model, which is driven by the need to sustainably reach more people facing dying, death and grief across our community.

With many significant and unprecedented pressures created by the coronavirus pandemic across the globe, the Hospice decided to bring forward changes, which had already been planned before COVID-19, at a faster pace.

We are aware COVID-19 is likely to have a lasting financial impact, especially on voluntary sources of income from which we raise 75% of our £6m annual total. The estimated loss of income from fundraising and retail as a consequence of the virus this year (2020) is approximately £1m.

We need to ensure the charity can withstand the immediate and medium-term challenges of the coronavirus, and that it is also prepared to respond to those of the longer term.

Sadly, these changes included a restructure which proposed redundancies and we began a consultation process in October. Of the original 24 roles put at risk, eight people left the charity by way of compulsory redundancy at the end of November.

The new model has created 15 new opportunities, and we are pleased to say that some of those whose roles were at risk have filled these new roles.

To say 2020 has been a year clouded with uncertainty would be an understatement. Plans have had to be rewritten, and we have all had to make significant changes and endure many challenges.

Our staff are at the centre of St Nicholas Hospice Care and saying goodbye to colleagues has brought much sadness. The Hospice and the community have benefited greatly from their compassion, commitment and experience, and we wish them well for the future.

Recruitment for the new opportunities not filled during the consultation process has either begun or will begin shortly, as these roles are needed to help us move forward with the implementation of our new model.

Full details of roles can be found in the Jobs and Volunteer Opportunities section on our website here.

In the coming months, further details around the new model will be shared. We hope the community will continue to support us as we strive for the best possible end-of-life care for everyone.