Prospect Hospice, the Wroughton-based charity that provides end-of-life care for Swindon and the surrounding area, is to reopen three inpatient beds, taking it from six to nine by January 2027. Chief Executive Jeremy Lune set out the plan in an interview with Swindon24 published on Thursday 13 August 2026.
What difference will it make?
- About 90 more people a year will be able to have specialist end-of-life care at the hospice. Around 180 a year are cared for in the inpatient unit now.
- Earlier in 2026 the hospice said it was turning away around six patients a week because it could not afford to run more beds.
- The extra beds will cost about £300,000 a year, a commitment approved by the trustees.
Mr Lune said: "Turning away dying people is a heartbreaking position to be in."
How can the hospice afford it?
Prospect budgeted for a deficit of around £800,000 in its last financial year and finished with a £400,000 surplus. Mr Lune said fundraising "broke every record in our 46-year history". The first Men's Walk to Support, run with Swindon Town Football Club, raised £83,000 and will become an annual event, and charity shop income is 11 per cent up on the previous year.
The hospice expects only 16 per cent of its annual funding to come from government sources. Its NHS contract rose by 0.7 per cent at the start of the year.
What next?
Prospect believes 12 beds are needed to meet demand. Mr Lune said: "If we got some more money, we could potentially open three more beds."
Source: Swindon24.