The government has announced that hospices in England will be allocated an additional £100 million aimed at enhancing their facilities, equipment, and accommodations.
This £100 million will be distributed to both adult and pediatric hospices starting in the new year, extending through the conclusion of the next financial year in April 2026.
An extra £26 million is designated specifically for children’s hospices for the 2025/26 fiscal year, as stated by the government.
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England is home to roughly 170 hospices that cater to adult end-of-life care, alongside approximately 40 that focus on children and young individuals, with some providing services for both demographics.
While the majority of hospices operate as charitable, independent entities, they receive some governmental funding due to their provision of NHS services.
The funds are earmarked for renovations of patient bedrooms and bathrooms, creating comfortable overnight accommodations for families, and enhancing IT systems to facilitate easier sharing of critical patient information among GPs and hospitals.
Additionally, the funding will be allocated to enhance garden and outdoor areas for patients and their loved ones, as well as to support the development of outreach initiatives aimed at assisting individuals in their residences.
However, the government has not clarified whether any portion of this funding will address the increase in employers’ national insurance contributions.
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Hospices face funding crisis
When repeatedly questioned about whether the funding would cover the rise in national insurance, which charities and volunteer organizations have indicated would cost them £1.4 billion, Health Minister Karin Smyth declined to respond in Parliament on Thursday.
She stated: “This is a timely announcement that can assist the sector in managing some of those challenges and delivering the types of services they aspire to provide moving forward.”
Dr. Caroline Johnson, the Conservative shadow health secretary, expressed to MPs that Labour is “removing millions of pounds from hospices and palliative care charities, then expecting gratitude when they return a fraction of it”.
During Prime Minister’s Questions this week, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch noted that hospices estimate the increase will result in an additional £30 million in costs and inquired whether the government would assist in covering these expenses.
Sir Keir Starmer asserted that his government has allocated “a historic amount to the NHS in the budget” and promised to outline funding plans “in the new year”.
Care Minister Stephen Kinnock remarked: “I extend my gratitude to NHS personnel and charitable organizations, including hospices, for the exceptionally compassionate care and support they provide to patients at the end of their lives and their families.
“The £100 million capital investment announced today will empower hospices to enhance their physical and operational environments, allowing them to deliver the highest quality of care to those they serve.”
Kemi Badenoch inquired whether hospices would have their increase in employers’ national insurance covered
Toby Porter, the CEO of Hospice UK, which advocates for British hospices, expressed that the additional funding will be “greatly appreciated”.
“Hospices not only deliver essential care for patients and families but also alleviate pressure on the NHS,” he stated.
“This financial support will enable hospices to continue providing high-quality, compassionate care to hundreds of thousands of individuals annually.
“We anticipate collaborating with the government to ensure that individuals approaching the end of life receive the necessary support and care, whenever and wherever they require it.”
