£25 million boost for children’s hospices

NHS England recently announced increased funding for children's hospices by as much as £25 million a year.

Simon Stevens, NHS England chief executive, said that the funding, alongside medical advances, will allow the NHS to help seriously ill children with more complex health issues to live for longer and receive better care.

The current Hospice Grant Programme provides £11 million for children's hospices each year. Over the next five years, additional funding could increase by up to £7 million per annum by 2023, if Clinical Commissioning Groups also provide additional match funding, meaning £25 million would be spent on hospices over the next five years.

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.”

Andy Fletcher, Together for Short Lives chief executive, added: “This is a very welcome boost for children’s hospices which provide such crucial care and support to seriously ill children and their families across England. We know that the number of children with life-limiting conditions is growing and the care and support they need is increasingly complex. I am delighted that NHS England has recognised the gap in funding for local children’s hospices, which offer a real lifeline, providing vital care and support for families providing 24/7 care.

“The funding will enable children’s hospices to maintain and develop their services for the most complex children, and in doing so help reduce pressure on the NHS, keeping children out of hospital longer and enabling greater choice in their care and support at the end of life. It is now vital that clinical commissioning groups 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.”

Tracey Bleakley, Hospice UK chief executive, 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.  We hope that local clinical commissioning groups will take NHS England’s lead and play their part in making sure this much needed investment helps children’s hospices reach even more families in need.”