Our next key speaker is Hospice UK's chief operating officer, Craig Duncan. 

He has revealed the year ending March 2024 was, financially speaking, 'the worst year on record for the hospice sector', adding there are early signs 2024/5 could be 'even more challenging'.

In the year ending March 2024, the sector spent more that it achieved, said Craig - recording a deficit of around £50 million.

Although that wasn't as bad as expected, "the crisis in funding has been driven by a rapid increase in costs," he said.

"For the hospice sector, we are still seeing an increase in costs."

There has been a 20 per cent rise in costs in the last two years, for the average hospice. Others have experienced an even greater rise, said Craig, and he warned even when inflation calms, those costs will not go back down.

Some hospices are spending reserves, he said, adding 'the only option is to find a way to increase income'.

Adapting to the financial challenges with forced cuts can come at a cost when it comes to care, he told delegates.

Craig believes conversations with the government are vital and so are discussions at a local level - with commissioners at the integrated care boards, who decide where NHS funding is spent.

He believes there also needs to be a focus on key areas of charitable giving and campaigns are being planned around this.