Local hospices benefit from government funding boost
Hope House Children’s Hospice and Severn Hospice have received a portion of a £3.4m funding increase allocated to hospices across the Midlands.
The boost comes after Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock confirmed that hospices across England will receive more capital funding to support essential upgrades.
Hope House Children’s Hospice received £157,086, whilst Severn Hospice is benefitting from a £299,078 boost.
This money, now allocated to individual hospices by Hospice UK, will help fund urgent building repairs, better facilities and patient rooms, new outdoor spaces, and improved IT equipment.
It brings the total funding pot provided to hospices to a significant £125 million across England over the past two financial years – the largest investment in a generation. Hospices will be able to spend their allocation before the end of 2025–26.
The additional investment follows the government’s commitment to a multi-year settlement of £80 million across England for children’s hospices over three years, providing certainty for vital services providing support for seriously ill children and families.
Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock said:
"I am delighted that this additional cash boost of £3.4m has now been allocated to hospices across the Midlands.
“I thank Hospice UK for facilitating this so quickly, so hospices can swiftly contract any vital work and upgrades – making sure patients are being treated in the best possible environment.
“On top of our £125 million capital investment in hospices across England, we have pledged £80 million over the next three years for children’s hospices. And we are transforming palliative and end-of-life care by ending the postcode lottery, so every patient and family can get the high-quality care they deserve.”
The government will also publish a palliative care and end-of-life care modern service framework (MSF) this year, which will improve access, quality and sustainability in the sector.
The MSF is being developed through engagement with the sector and will address the crucial challenges the sector has warned about, including avoidable hospital admissions, variation in local and regional provision of care in terms of both access and quality, workforce shortages and gaps in 24/7 palliative care provision.
This will put an end to the postcode lottery and make sure every patient and family receives the quality care and support they deserve.
