Hospices in England to receive multi-million pound boost to improve services
It's hoped the funding will help make people feel more comfortable during end-of-life care
Hospices across England are to receive a multi-million pound boost to improve their services and facilities.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced it's today releasing £25 million for facility upgrades and refurbishments.
An additional £75 million will then be available from April as part of the largest investment in hospices in a generation.
It's hoped the funding will help modernise facilities, improve IT systems and ensure patients receive the highest quality care.
Much of the funding will go towards improving end-of-life care, with plans to create outdoor gardens where memories can be shared.
Patient rooms will also be upgraded to make them feel more like home.
"This funding will make a real difference to people at the end of their lives"
As part of the biggest investment into hospices in a generation, more than 170 hospices across the country will receive funding, including those run by Marie Curie and Sue Ryder.
Minister for Care Stephen Kinnock said: "This is the largest investment in a generation to help transform hospice facilities across England.
"From upgrading patient rooms to improving gardens and outdoor spaces, this funding will make a real difference to people at the end of their lives.
"Hospices provide invaluable care and support when people need it most and this funding boost will ensure they are able to continue delivering exceptional care in better, modernised facilities.”
"A huge relief"
Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK, said: "The announcement before Christmas of £100m of additional funding for hospices in England was a significant boost, and today's news of the allocation of the first £25m of this funding will be a huge relief for our members.
"Several years of rapidly rising costs have curtailed the extent to which hospices have been able to invest in their infrastructure for the longer term. This additional support will enable them to do so - and relieve the immediate pressures on hospice finances.
"The hospice sector is ready to support the government's ambition to shift more care into the community. This couldn't be more important for people approaching the end of life, when it's vital to have the right care, in the right place.
"The greater stability provided by the government's funding injection this year and next gives us a golden opportunity to now reform the palliative and end of life care system, so it's fit for the future."
Nick Carroll, Chief Executive of children’s palliative care charity Together for Short Lives, said: “We’re really pleased that the Department of Health and Social Care has moved quickly to finalise the details of this much-needed funding and ensure it is ready for distribution.
“We know that children’s hospices across England face an increasingly challenging funding landscape, with costs continuing to rise significantly.
"This investment will help children's hospices continue to deliver essential care for seriously ill children and their families across England.”
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