Manorlands has reduced its deficit by nearly £100,000 in spite of the devastating effects of foot and mouth on fundraising.

The Oxenhope Sue Ryder Care hospice reported a deficit of £66,877 for 2001, a considerable reduction in the £161,000 in 2000.

The reduction in the shortfall has been attributed to greater than expected levels of donations throughout the year.

However, the cancellation of fundraising events due to foot and mouth had a big impact.

Administrator Chris Wilcock said: "Foot and mouth cost us a lot, and if it hadn't been for that we might have broken even."

Treasurer Gordon Senior told the annual meeting this week that if the local health authority followed Government recommendations and provided 50 per cent of its funding, the hospice's deficit would be wiped out.

He said: "Some years ago the Government set up a target for local health authorities to fund hospices up to 50 per cent of their expenditure.

"We are still 12 per cent short of our expenditure. We are continually beating the drum to try and ensure that the health authorities are doing what Mr Blair would like them to do."

There was also concern that management had not heard how much the hospice was to receive from Bradford North Primary Care Trust in the new financial year.

Bradford North PCT has taken control of health authority funds for Manorlands now that Bradford Health Authority has been replaced by a new strategic county-wide health authority.

Mr Senior added: "We appreciate the PCT has had a tremendous amount of work on, but it's disappointing to note that having received the last funding from Bradford Health Authority we still have no idea how much we are receiving in the new year."

Consultant Dr Mike Hughes said the hospice cared for 590 patients in 2001, up from 558 in the previous year, with more referrals coming from Airedale and Craven.

Around 90 per cent of patients admitted had cancer, although there was a notable increase in the number of patients with neurological diseases, particular motor neurone disease, up from four in 2000 to 11 in 2001.

Head of care Sue Hesse, who replaced former matron Ann Chamberlain in September, told the meeting that Manorlands was going through a period of change, with members of staff moving on and new people joining.

"On reflection it's good that we are helping to move people on professionally," she said.

"We believe the hospice is going to be stronger and a much more dynamic place because of the new skills people are bringing in."

She added that Manorlands, MacMillan Cancer Relief and Craven, Harrogate and Rural District Primary Care Trust had jointly appointed a MacMillan nurse for the Craven area who would be based in Skipton.

"The nurse is going to assess the needs of patients and in the future, we hope, take the expertise of Manorlands right into that area," said Mrs Hesse.

The post will be funded by MacMillan for three years, with a commitment from the PCT to carry on some of the funding after that period.

A day care centre may also be set up in Craven if required.

Acting chairman Irene Senior thanked fundraisers for their hard work over the last year and said that Manorlands was moving forward with the changes.