Today the Department for Health and Social Care announced that £25 million in capital funding is now available for hospices, with a further £75 million to follow from April – an announcement we’re really pleased to hear.
It follows on from the announcement of the funding just before Christmas from Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting.
Why is this funding so important?
Children’s hospices play a crucial role in providing vital care for seriously ill children and their families, yet many continue to face significant financial pressures. The rising cost of energy, staffing, and essential services has put immense strain on the sector.
Additionally, over the past year, children’s hospices have faced significant delays in accessing their funding from Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), forcing them to spend valuable time and resources chasing payments that should have been readily available.
Our Chief Executive, Nick Carroll, said: “We’re really pleased that the Department of Health and Social Care has moved quickly to finalise the details of this much-needed funding and ensure it is ready for distribution.
“We know that children’s hospices across England face an increasingly challenging funding landscape, with costs continuing to rise significantly. This investment will help children’s hospices continue to deliver essential care for seriously ill children and their families across England.”
What’s next for children’s hospices?
While it’s great to see the Department of Health and Social Care acting swiftly to finalise the details of this funding and ensure its timely distribution, we’re keen to see a similar approach to the vital Children’s Hospice Grant. We’ll continue to work closely with the Government, NHS England, and Hospice UK to ensure that children’s hospices receive the funding they need to provide critical care and support to every child and family who needs it.