We have a month's cash only, say health charities

Published on Monday 3 March 2008 11:02

DOZENS of Scotland's health charities face an uncertain future amid claims they have only got funding until the end of this month, a survey has revealed.

The study, carried out by Community Health Exchange (CHEX), revealed that 72 per cent of those quizzed from community and voluntary sector health initiatives felt their network was not financially secure.

CHEX questioned 65 organisations across Scotland, varying in size from small local volunteer-led organisations to countrywide health charities.

The results showed 72 per cent of groups face closure by the end of March, with 189 staff in 20 organisations having already lost their jobs or been given redundancy notices.

At least 11 of the 16 organisations which are continuing beyond March have less than a year's funding and 36 per cent have reduced services in the last year. The study also revealed that 50 per cent of the surviving organisations will have to reduce their services after next month.

Elspeth Gracey, who compiled the report, said that at least one national charity spoke of losing 100 staff which would affect hundreds of families across Scotland.

A spokeswoman for CHEX said: "This survey indicates that there is the potential that after March 2008 Scotland will suffer the loss of hundreds of jobs and thousands of services for some of our most vulnerable people in our most disadvantaged communities."