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Serving seriously ill children must be part of this government’s mission

News and comment

Together for Short Lives has welcomed the new government’s mission-led focus on service as set out in the King’s Speech. But the charity warns that time is short if minsters are to deliver real change that transforms the lives of seriously ill children and their families across the UK.

While the speech contained no mention of children’s palliative care, we welcome the commitments aimed at improving the NHS, putting children and their wellbeing at the centre of education and social care systems and providing extra protection for families that are renting their home.

A proposed Employment Rights Bill will seek to establish a Fair Pay Agreement in the adult social care sector. Whilst we are disappointed that the government has not committed to a similar agreement for children’s social care, we welcome the fact that ministers are open to exploring how such agreements could benefit other sectors.

As of 30 September 2023, 7,700 child and family social worker vacancies were recorded in England. Furthermore, the overall vacancy rate stands at 19% with nearly three quarters (74.4%) of vacancies being covered by agency workers.

The commitment to clamp down on unreasonable rent increases, while making it illegal for landlords to discriminate against tenants who receive benefits and/or have children, is also a positive step for families. With many parents receiving benefits such as disability living allowance and carer’s allowance, the Renter’s Rights Bill has the potential to provide families caring for seriously ill children with some additional security.

Andy Fletcher, chief executive officer of Together for Short Lives said:

“Powerfully, the new Prime Minster has stated that he is determined that no person should feel like they have to change who they are just to get on. If his government of service is to truly succeed, it must deliver on this pledge for seriously ill children and their families.”

“A new government offers a chance to make sure that they can access the palliative care they need. For far too long, workforce shortages, funding gaps and a lack of leadership and accountability have prevented too many from accessing the high quality, sustainable care and support they need.”

“The Prime Minister states that challenges we face require determined, patient work and serious solutions. I understand this, and the King’s Speech includes some positive action. However, time is short for seriously ill children. Many will not be alive when this new Parliamentary session comes to an end.”

“I call on the new government to tackle our five ‘must dos’ for the new parliament. In addition to filling the £295 million funding gap in children’s palliative care, it must urgently make sure that local NHS bodies in England distribute all of the £25 million ringfenced 2024/25 funding for children’s hospices without further delay. And it must commit to maintaining this money as a ringfenced, centrally distributed NHS England grant to children’s hospices in 2025/26 and beyond which increases by at least the rate of inflation every year.”

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