It's not every day you get an invite to tea with the Prime Minister.

Representatives from Dorset's Weldmar Hospicecare put their case for funding in a private audience with new premier Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street.

Fundraiser Alaine Harman, Community Nurse Selina Miles, Director of Nursing Caroline Sweetland, CEO Caroline Hamblett, and Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Lead Clare Bradbury received the surprise call for afternoon tea with the PM, following a nomination from a relative of a patient.

End of life care charity Weldmar was one of eight hospices from across the country to get the invitation.

Mr Johnson and MP Tracey Crouch hosted the reception – with tea in the Terracotta State Drawing Room – to thank hospices for their hard work and dedication.

It was also an opportunity to raise the subject of funding for hospices.

While the NHS contributes around 21 per cent of Weldmar's overall costs, the organisation needs to raise more than £18,000 a day to fund its free of charge services through fundraising and a chain of charity shops and outlets.

Demand is increasing for the care provided by Weldmar, which includes patient care at home and at its in-patient unit in Dorchester, at day services centres, and for families and loved ones through bereavement and counselling services. It’s estimated that this demand will rise by 25 per cent in the next five years.

Weldmar Director of Nursing Caroline Sweetland said after the meeting with Mr Johnson: “We were able to raise concerns about the future of hospice care. That included funding, more sustainable working models, and improved partnerships with the NHS. It was also a good opportunity to network with other the hospices and find out what challenges they are facing.”

She added: “Those we spoke to seemed very aware of the challenges in recruiting enough specialist palliative care staff, and we’ve been working very hard at Weldmar to make sure we’re able to recruit and retain those staff, so it was good to talk about those issues.”

Caroline Hamblett added: “It was a really wonderful opportunity to meet the new Prime Minister with staff from Weldmar, and talk about the issues that are facing us. And that is continuing the care that we give in Dorset, in the community, in patients homes, and in our in-patient unit. We talked about how we sustain that, and continue to get the support from the people of Dorset.”

She added: “It’s very important that we use our money wisely, and it was reassuring to talk to the Prime Minster about how hospices are seen as key in the delivery of end of life care in Dorset.”