Devon and Cornwall hospices share £1m government funding
Hospices in Devon and Cornwall will share more than £1m for upgrades and refurbishments as part of funding released this week, the government has announced.The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced £100m of funding in December as part of its Plan for Change - an initiative to improve social care across England - with £25m being released nationwide this week.Seven hospice operators across the region will share £1.07m of funding.Minister for Care Stephen Kinnock said it was the "largest investment in a generation" and would help "transform hospice facilities across England".
'Modernise facilities'
Paul Brinsley, CEO of Cornwall Hospice Care, said the £161,000 it is set to receive would help it improve sustainability and reduce overheads by installing insulation and improving double glazing, while it was exploring options for how to invest the next batch of money.Mr Brinsley said it was "exciting" to get money to invest in one-off capital projects, but added it was a "struggle" getting longer-term funding.The remainder of the funding - which will be used to "modernise facilities, improve IT systems and ensure patients receive the highest quality care" - would be released in April, DHSC said.The hospice operators in Devon and Cornwall receiving support were: Cornwall Hospice Care: £161kChildren's Hospice South West: £276kHospiscare (Exeter): £181kNorth Devon Hospice: £105kRowcroft - The Torbay & South Devon Hospice: £158kSt Luke's Hospice Plymouth: £177kSidmouth Hospice at Home: £17k
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