NHS plans £7 million extra funding a year for children’s hospices in England
Posted 27 December 2018 - 00:01
The increase – set to take effect by 2023 – means annual rise from £11 million to £25 million as clinical commissioning groups expected to match funding
Children's hospices could see their funding increase to as much as £25 million a year by 2023-2024, under plans announced by NHS England today.
Hospices receive £11 million a year to provide care and support close to home for children, and their families, in the final days of a young person’s life.
NHS long-term plan
Such funding will increase each year, rising to up to £7 million a year by 2023-2024, as part of the NHS long-term plan, which is expected in the new year, NHS England said.
Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are also expected to match this funding, meaning the total annual increase would reach £25 million a year over the next five years.
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Simon Stevens
Picture: Barney Newman
NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said: ‘Looking after a child at the end of their life is the hardest thing a parent or carer will ever do, and it is vital they have somewhere to turn for help if they need it.
‘Providing help and support to families when they need it most is a top priority for the NHS, which is why ensuring specialised, personalised care close to home will be part of the NHS long-term plan.’
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Hospice UK chief executive Tracey Bleakley said she hoped CCGs would follow NHS England's lead to ensure this long-term investment reached children’s hospices.
She said: ‘This is welcome news for children’s hospices and the families that they support.
‘The children and young people supported by hospice care have complex needs associated with life-limiting conditions, and hospices provide a lifeline to them and their families.
‘Providing this extra funding over the next five years will help provide more stability for children’s hospices at a time when demand for their support is increasing.’
Charity Together for Short Lives chief executive Andy Fletcher welcomed the funding, and added: ‘It is now vital that CCGs to work closely with the NHS and local children’s hospices to ensure that services are there to support families now and in the future.’
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