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Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of ������վ Borough Council, and Peter Lamb MP have jointly expressed their concerns over the recent announcement of job losses at St. Catherine’s Hospice.

The links between the town and the hospice are strong and long held, with so many ������վ residents benefitting over the years from the important services and support that the hospice provides. Following the recent move to Pease Pottage, those links continue to be strong, and ������վ Borough Council is also working with St Catherine's Hospice on the redevelopment of their old site.

In a joint statement, Councillor Michael Jones and Peter Lamb MP stated: “We have independently visited the new site to see the modern facilities being provided.

“In recent meetings with the hospice, we have been concerned to learn of the financial challenges they face and the difficult decisions they are having to take.

“The hospice has recently moved from its original premises in Malthouse Road, Southgate to the new site in Pease Pottage. This was in part to expand their facilities to meet increased need in coming years. We understand the hospice was encouraged by health partners to make this move, but the funding has not followed. The impact is a retraction of a service we were told needed to expand.

“The message from Hospice UK, the national charity for end-of-life care, is clear that there is a need to create a short-term support plan to stem the flow of cuts and a commitment to long-term reform that makes sure everyone gets the end of life care they need, when and where they need it. We would support that decision.

“We have raised the issue with health ministers and with NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board and we will continue to work to try to secure the funding St Catherine's Hospice desperately needs.”