Wiltshire children's hospice criticises 'insignificant' government funding
Julia's House say they have a £1 million shortfall in their budget this year
Last updated 7th Apr 2024
Wiltshire's children's hospice could be forced to cut services unless they get more money from the government.
Julia’s House tell us they face an “uncertain future” as they are “hugely reliant” on donations to continue operating.
92% of the charity’s annual running costs of £3.34 million were financed by fundraising efforts, yet the hospice still faces a £1 million deficit.
Furthermore, a £327,000 annual grant that previously went directly to Julia's House from NHS England now goes to the local NHS to distribute.
Charity CEO, Martin Edwards said:
“Inflation has increased the cost on all healthcare providers by around 30% over the last few years, but government funding has remained pretty static in that time.
“The government needs to recognise that we are saving all sorts of problems being unloaded at the door of the NHS.”
The financial situation for hospices across the county has become “a lot tighter” with many facing “difficult decisions” over the level of care they can realistically provide.
Mr Edwards added: “The families in our care are enormously reliant on the support we give them, not just with the end-of-life care we deliver but also the respite we give parents and support we offer siblings."
Hospices across the county feel “underappreciated” by government despite them becoming “over reliant” on the voluntary sector.
Mr Edwards says something needs to change: “Medical sciences have advanced and it means that more children who were born with the prospect of a very short life are now surviving into their first few months and years and that means more children are requiring care for longer.
“The science has moved on but the government funding hasn't so children's hospices are still stuck on extraordinarily low levels of funding.”
In a statement, The Department of Health and Social Care said: "We want everyone to have access to the high-quality, personalised palliative care that can make all the difference at such a challenging time.
"We have made over £350m available to hospices since 2020 to secure and increase additional NHS capacity and enable hospital discharge, ensuring hospices can continue to deliver care to those who need it."