Together for Short Lives has welcomed the government’s emergency coronavirus fund for charities, including £200 million for hospices.
In particular, this fund will enable adult and children’s hospices to take the pressure off and help the NHS cope with the additional demands of the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst continuing to deliver vital end of life care. Over the past few weeks many children’s hospices have already geared up to the challenge caused by the pandemic, by sharing their expertise, adapting services and making beds and resources available.
Children’s hospices have a vital role in doing all they can in these unprecedented times to limit the impact of COVID-19, and also in providing end of life care which will help avoid unnecessary admissions to hospital at the end of life, freeing up precious NHS resources to save lives.
We have been actively working together with Hospice UK, Marie Curie and Sue Ryder Care to make the case to government for the important role hospices can make in supporting the NHS during this unprecedented crisis.
“Today’s announcement from the Chancellor is very welcome news to children’s hospices,” says Andy Fletcher, the Together for Short Lives CEO, “and we applaud government’s recognition that hospices have the expertise, skills and knowledge to play a vital role and maximise capacity as part of the national effort to manage coronavirus. Outside the NHS, the voluntary sector is the bedrock of children’s palliative care, and hospices have the expertise and are well placed to step up and take the pressure off the NHS during this national emergency.
Today’s announcement from the Chancellor is very welcome news to children’s hospices and we applaud government’s recognition that hospices have the expertise, skills and knowledge to play a vital role and maximise capacity as part of the national effort to manage coronavirus.
Andy Fletcher, CEO for Together for Short Lives
“Right now it’s crucial that everything possible is done to relieve pressure on the NHS, many children’s hospices are ready to support the coronavirus crisis and are poised to cope with rapid discharge and increase NHS capacity beyond hospitals. I look forward to working with officials to understand the detail of how this extra financial boost can help children’s hospices to have greater stability as they continue to deliver lifeline end of life care to children and families”
The Chancellor also announced a wider funding package for charities supporting the response to coronavirus, including those supporting vulnerable children, which Together for Short Lives has also welcomed.
“Children with life-limiting illness and their families rely on vital support from a range of local and national charities who, like children’s hospices, are continuing to provide care and support but are struggling with the catastrophic decline in fundraising,” says Andy.
It is crucial that enough money is made available to ensure that families can continue to rely on lifeline care
Andy Fletcher
“I welcome the Chancellor’s announcement on funding to support these services in the short term. It is crucial that enough money is made available to ensure that families can continue to rely on the lifeline care they offer and Government must do all it can to make sure they are still there to provide support today, tomorrow and long into the future.”
