Please ask your MP to attend vital Westminster event

Please email your MP today to ask them to attend the APPG for Children Who Need Palliative Care drop-in event and inaugural roundtable meeting on Tuesday 12 November 2024.

Children’s hospices across the UK provide vital support to seriously ill children and their families—whether through short respite breaks, assistance in navigating services, or support during and after the loss of a child.

However, despite their importance, children’s hospices face a growing crisis. A lack of fair and sustainable funding, combined with rising costs, has left many hospices increasingly reliant on charitable donations and reserves just to maintain their services.

In England, local NHS and council funding has drastically reduced in recent years, while the future of the £25 million NHS England funding stream remains uncertain. This funding covers nearly 16% of children’s hospices’ operating costs, and its loss could lead to cuts in vital services like respite and end-of-life care.

This meeting provides MPs with a critical opportunity to hear directly from a parent about the life-changing difference high-quality hospice and palliative care makes for seriously ill children and their families. MPs will also learn about the devastating impact that inconsistent NHS and local authority funding is having on children’s hospices. Importantly, they’ll find out how they can help ensure hospices are properly funded to provide the lifeline care so many families depend on.

Please use the form below to contact your MP, and be sure to include the details of the meeting:

• Drop-in event: 12 November, 10am-4pm, Room P, Portcullis House
• Roundtable meeting: 12 November, 1pm-2pm, Room P, Portcullis House

Make sure to include your name, address, and the meeting details so your MP knows you are one of their constituents.

Thank you for your support.