26-02-2025
Hospices plea for more help despite grant money
Hospices say they need more financial help to pay staff salaries, despite a £100m pledge for the sector from government.
The capital grant was welcomed by palliative care sites in the East of England, including St Helena Hospice in Colchester.
Chief executive Mark Jarman-Howe said the money would provide "short-term budget relief", but said funds were also needed for salaries "which is where we need urgent help".
He said hospices had to plan for additional National Insurance contributions from April as well as above inflation national minimum and living wage rises.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting made the funding announcement after hospices revealed how they had reduced their number of beds due to financial pressures.
The government said the capital grant was "the biggest investment in a generation" and would go towards improving buildings, equipment and accommodation.
St Helena Hospice is expected to receive £237,083.
Mr Jarman-Howe welcomed the grant but said: "We cannot use this funding for salaries which is where we need urgent help."
Kevin Clements, chief executive of East Anglia's Children's Hospices in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, echoed calls for a long-term funding model.
"This couldn't be more important for the children and families we care for," Mr Clements said.
She said with only 15% of total income coming from government, the "public's donations and fundraising are more important to us than ever".
This was split amongst the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, East Anglia's Children's Hospices, St Elizabeth Hospice and the St Helena Hospice.
James Sanderson, chief executive at Sue Ryder, said: "We are encouraged by the prime minister's commitment to further improvements to end-of-life care in the upcoming 10-year plan for the NHS, and hope today's welcome boost indicates a long term commitment from this government to people at the end of life, which is so greatly needed."
Liz Searle, chief executive of Keech Hospice in Bedfordshire, said the funding was "extremely welcome".
But she also said money was still needed to help pay staff.
Arthur Rank Hospice Charity - £235,374
East Anglia's Children's Hospices - £222,453
Farleigh Hospice - £268,268
Havens Hospices - £261,310
Hospice of St Francis - £121,619
Keech Hospice Care - £189,753
Lakelands Hospice - £9,251
Priscilla Bacon - £3,958
Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care - £278,579
South Bucks Hospice - £19,251
St Clare Hospice - £144,945
St Elizabeth Hospice - £239,262
St Helena Hospice - £237,083
St Luke's Hospice, Basildon - £256,843
St Nicholas Hospice Care - £97,852
Sue Ryder (unadjusted)- £1,250,000
The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House - £81,531
Willen Hospice - £143,687
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