£25 million a year for children’s hospices

NHS England has pledged £25 million a year for children’s hospices, as part of the NHS Long Term Plan.

NHS England’s hospice grant programme currently provides £12 million a year for children’s hospices, helping to provide care and support to children and their families close to home in their final days. Funding will now increase with an additional £13 million going to children’s hospices in 2023/24.

Clinical Commissioning Groups have been asked to provide match funding but NHS England has now guaranteed the investment after campaigners raised concerns.

Hospices provide care for people from the point their illness is diagnosed as terminal, until the end of their life. Hospice care does not necessarily need to be continuous and patients can take a break if their condition has become stable and are feeling well enough.

James Sanderson, director of Personalised Care at NHS England and Improvement, said: “There can be no more difficult time for a parent or carer than looking after a child at the end of their life. Supporting families when they need it most is a top priority for the NHS and that is why we will ensure that this funding reaches children’s hospices.”

Andy Fletcher, chief executive of Together for Short Lives, said: “This is a really welcome commitment to invest in children’s hospices at a crucial time. We know that the number of children with life-limiting conditions is growing and the care and support they need is increasingly complex.

“With this complexity comes greater cost and I am pleased that NHS England has listened to concerns raised around a growing funding gap. This announcement will give children’s hospices more confidence to plan and deliver their services and provide vital support to meet the needs of seriously ill children and families.”