Darlington MP Peter Gibson has once again brought together representatives of all Tees Valley MPs and CEOs of hospices in the region, this time to meet with the chief of the area's Integrated Care Board.

It's the second time in as many months that Mr Gibson has brought together the area's MPs, who are frequently at odds on a number of issues, to discuss the urgent issues that are facing hospices during the cost of living crisis.

Read more: 'Speedy action and firm commitments' needed from government to avert hospice crisis

This week City of Durham MP Mary Foy sent a letter to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, urging him to direct targeted support to hospices in next week's budget.

A number of hospices across the North East have said that without Government intervention, they may be forced to decrease service levels, or even shut their doors.

Last week, Teesside Hospice in Middlesbrough launched a fundraising campaign as rising costs and falling donations due to the cost of living crisis have left them with a £450,000 deficit that needs to be filled if they are to maintain the services they provide at their current levels.

One of the main issues, that's easily solved according to Mr Gibson, is that Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) - the bodies responsible for health service commissioning and governance across different areas of England - are not discharging their statutory duties to commission hospices for palliative care.

According to Mr Gibson, if the North East and Cumbria ICB were to commission hospices  for end of life care - as they are legally obliged to do - it will help clear some of the funding shortfall facing hospices, as well as relieve pressure on the NHS who need to clear beds.

Speaking in the House of Commons immediately before the meeting, Mr Gibson asked the health minister Steve Barclay MP if he would join "in calling for the North East and Cumbria ICB to listen to hospices in the Tees Valley, and save our hospices and save the NHS money".

The Northern Echo: Tees Valley MPs meeting in Parliament last month to discuss hospice funding.Tees Valley MPs meeting in Parliament last month to discuss hospice funding. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

In response, the minister praised "the extremely important work that hospices do," adding that decisions on commissioning had been devolved to ICBs so that they can target funding in ways that best serve their local communities.

In the following meeting, which was attended by North East and Cumbria ICB Chief Executive Sam Allen, and bosses from St Teresa's Hospice, Teesside Hospice, Alice House Hospice and Butterwick Hospice Care - as well as by representatives of all Tees Valley MPs from all parties - concerns were raised with Mr Allen about the financial cliff edge that hospices in the region are facing.

As money raised through donations drops, many hospices are relying on the funding gap to be plugged when they are commissioned to undertake palliative care by ICBs - something the ICBs are legally obliged to do.

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Speaking about the meeting, Mr Gibson said: “Hospices provide an invaluable benefit to our communities in the Tees Valley. It is hugely important that we secure funding clarity for the sector so that they can continue to provide their hugely important benefit to society.

"This is not a party-political issue, and I am delighted that all Tees Valley MPs of all parties are united in their support for the hospice sector.

"The North East has a golden opportunity to properly fund palliative care and be an example for the rest of the country. I would encourage Sam Allen to properly listen to the hospice sector and seize the opportunity in front of them.”