Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK, said: “The announcement before Christmas of £100m of additional funding for hospices in England was a significant boost, and today’s news of the allocation of the first £25m of this funding will be a huge relief for our members.
“Several years of rapidly rising costs have curtailed the extent to which hospices have been able to invest in their infrastructure for the longer term. This additional support will enable them to do so – and relieve the immediate pressures on hospice finances.
“The hospice sector is ready to support the government’s ambition to shift more care into the community. This couldn’t be more important for people approaching the end of life, when it’s vital to have the right care, in the right place.
“The greater stability provided by the government’s funding injection this year and next gives us a golden opportunity to now reform the palliative and end of life care system, so it’s fit for the future.”
The initial £25m funding, which is being distributed via Hospice UK to eligible hospices this financial year (2024-5), will be followed by a further £75m next financial year (2025-6).
The capital funding is designed to help hospices improve their physical environment, improve efficiency by investing in digital technology, and increase hospices’ capacity to care for patients at home. The funds will help alleviate significant budget pressures in the sector.
Nicola Myers, Chief Executive of St Teresa’s Hospice, said: “we welcome yesterday’s announcement of additional government funding for hospices.
This funding is specifically allocated for capital projects and it will be invested in improving our infrastructure for the benefit of our patients.
However, this is only a short- to medium-term solution and does not support our day-to-day running costs or staff salaries. With rising costs and increasing demand for hospice services, public support through donations, lottery memberships, shop purchases, leaving us a legacy in their will and fundraising is more crucial than ever. We continue to advocate for a long-term, sustainable statutory funding model that allows for better future planning, something that is absolutely essential for the patients and families we care for.
That said we appreciate this additional government support and will ensure this funding benefits our community.”
Lola McEvoy, MP for Darlington, said: “The work of St Teresa’s is well known across the town for being exceptional. I know from my own family’s experience what wonderful care they give.
“This Government was elected on a promise to restore our health and care services. This funding is the largest investment in the hospice sector in a generation and it is right that we ensure people get the dignity they deserve at the end of their lives.”
Hospice UK continues to work closely with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to secure long-term reform of how end of life and palliative care services, including those delivered by hospices, are funded.
The news in England follows announcements of recurrent funding for hospices in both Scotland and Wales in recent months. As well as commitments by these governments to develop sustainable funding and commissioning frameworks for the sector.
