Latest news with #MarieCurieScotland
STV News
5 days ago
- Health
- STV News
Hospices secure £5m to support NHS-level pay for staff
Hospice workers in Scotland are to receive pay equal to their NHS counterparts following a £5 million funding commitment from the Scottish Government. The investment, set out in the 2025-26 Budget, will ensure that frontline staff providing essential palliative and end-of-life care in independent hospices are fairly paid in line with NHS pay scales. The funding aims to help hospices recruit and retain skilled healthcare professionals during a time of rising workforce pressures and increasing demand for palliative care services. The move comes after Scottish Labour called for the cash to be released by ministers. Health secretary Neil Gray said: 'Independent hospices provide vital care and support to people and families across Scotland at the most difficult times in their lives. I am pleased we are able to support these organisations in supporting pay parity for their clinical staff. 'This funding recognises the skilled, compassionate care that hospice staff deliver every day, and helps ensure their pay reflects the immense value of their work.' But a leading hospice provider has expressed concerns that a £5m funding boost 'will not touch the sides'. Marie Cure Scotland, which has two hospices in the country, has questioned how much of an impact the cash would have, citing the UK Government's increase to employer national insurance contributions – which have been steadfastly opposed by ministers in Scotland. 'As Scotland's largest palliative and end of life care provider caring for people at our two Scottish hospices and in people's homes, Marie Curie Scotland welcomes the Scottish Government's announcement about how the £5m for Scotland's hospice sector, announced in the budget in December, will be provided,' said Marie Curie's associate director of policy and public affairs Amy Dalrymple. 'But one-off funding like this will not address the long-term funding challenges or tackle the inequalities that exist in end of life care. 'Alongside increased support for community services, we're calling on the Scottish Government to deliver a sustainable, long-term funding plan, that includes ways to future-proof the workforce, so that wherever you live, whatever your illness, you'll be able to rely on good care right to the end.' She added: 'Investment in hospice staff is essential. There is only one chance to get end of life care right. 'However, we are concerned that this £5m will not touch the sides given the recent changes to employer National Insurance contributions which are expected to cost Marie Curie Scotland close to half a million pounds in 2025-26 alone. 'Death is one of two certainties in life. 'The Scottish Government must prioritise palliative care to ease the strain on the already overburdened and underfunded NHS and create a system that works for everyone now and in the future.' In November 2024, hospice bosses warned they face an 'insurmountable funding gap' and said concerns are mounting that they may have to turn people away. They said hospices are a 'key part' of the health and care system, but they are not part of the NHS, with charities instead having to fund their running costs. Chair of the Scottish Hospice Leadership Group, Jacki Smart, said: 'This is a welcome first step in recognising the needs of the hospice sector, which plays a key role in delivering specialist palliative care for Scotland. 'It is right for patients and staff that hospices can pay skilled professionals fairly and in line with NHS colleagues, and we need to keep pace on this.' The announcement comes after UK ministers announced £75m would be shared among 170 facilities in England – believed to be the biggest boost ever for the sector. The UK Government announced its funding increase in the Sunday Mirror, with minister Stephen Kinnock praising the impact of the facilities. 'Hospices play a vital role in our society by providing invaluable care and support when people need it most. 'At this most difficult time, people deserve to receive the best care in the best possible environment with dignity.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Lib Dems accuse Neil Gray of stealing credit for Hospice funding
The funding is intended to help facilities caring for people at the end of their lives increase wages to be in line with staff in the NHS. Responding to the announcement, the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader has said the government may wish to claim the credit for this move, however, he commented that it was his party who pushed the First Minister to commit to the £5 million funding during budget talks. Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said: "More money to support hospices was a key Scottish Liberal Democrat demand in budget negotiations so I am glad than an additional £5m for the hospice sector is being delivered. "Neil Gray may be keen to claim the credit but this is an area that we forced on to the agenda because from visiting hospices and speaking with staff and residents, we recognised the huge demands being placed on the sector." Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton (Image: Ken Jack) Mr Cole-Hamilton added: "The work they do week-in week-out to help those with life shortening conditions and their families is incredibly challenging but so important. "I hope that these additional funds can immediately be put to work to support service users by recruiting skilled staff. That's the difference that Liberal Democrat MSPs can make.' The SNP has been contacted for comment. READ MORE: Hospice CEOs warn that sector is 'struggling enormously' Scotland's first children's hospice set for £17m revamp The budget was passed earlier this year, and, since then, Scottish Labour have called for the cash to be released by ministers. Speaking ahead of a visit to a hospice on Friday, Health Secretary Neil Gray said: 'Independent hospices provide vital care and support to people and families across Scotland at the most difficult times in their lives. 'I am pleased we are able to support these organisations in supporting pay parity for their clinical staff. 'This funding recognises the skilled, compassionate care that hospice staff deliver every day, and helps ensure their pay reflects the immense value of their work.' Jacki Smart, chairwoman of the Scottish Hospice Leadership Group, said: 'This is a welcome first step in recognising the needs of the hospice sector, which plays a key role in delivering specialist palliative care for Scotland. 'It is right for patients and staff that hospices can pay skilled professionals fairly and in line with NHS colleagues, and we need to keep pace on this.' Marie Curie has welcomed the funding but said that "one-off" investments like this will not address long-term funding challenges. The charity is pushing the Scottish Government to deliver a sustainable funding plan for hospices for the future. Amy Dalrymple, Associate Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Marie Curie Scotland said: 'As Scotland's largest palliative and end of life care provider caring for people at our two Scottish hospices and in people's homes, Marie Curie Scotland welcomes the Scottish Government's announcement about how the £5 million for Scotland's hospice sector, announced in the Budget in December, will be provided. 'But one-off funding like this will not address the long-term funding challenges or tackle the inequalities that exist in end of life care. Alongside increased support for community services, we're calling on the Scottish Government to deliver a sustainable, long-term funding plan, that includes ways to future-proof the workforce, so that wherever you live, whatever your illness, you'll be able to rely on good care right to the end. 'It is shocking that the public purse spends four times more on hospital inpatients in their last year of life than on primary, community health, and hospice care combined for this group. This doesn't need to be the case, and means that we need to radically transform care of dying people. 'Investment in hospice staff is essential. There is only one chance to get end of life care right. However, we are concerned that this £5 million will not touch the sides given the recent changes to employer National Insurance contributions which are expected to cost Marie Curie Scotland close to half a million pounds in 2025/26 alone. 'Death is one of two certainties in life. The Scottish Government must prioritise palliative care to ease the strain on the already overburdened and underfunded NHS and create a system that works for everyone now and in the future.' Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: 'After months of dither and delay, it is welcome that the SNP is finally allocating the funding it promised in its budget – but this is funding promised for last year's pay rise. There is nothing on the table for this year. 'Hospices are still being short-changed by the SNP, and staff and services will continue to pay the price. 'A Scottish Labour government will properly support hospices and the crucial work they do, and fully fund a fair deal for staff.'
