£100m funding package for hospices welcomed but questions loom over employer NI contributions

Hospices in the Royal Borough have welcomed news of a multi-million-pound funding package announced by the Government this week.

The financial strain facing hospices has been at the forefront of much debate in Parliament.

But Thursday saw a major announcement made of a £100m capital funding package to help adults and children’s hospices like Thames Hospice and Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service over the next two years.

The funding will help support hospices in delivering improvements such as refurbishments to bedrooms and bathrooms, overhauling IT systems and boosting garden and outdoor facilities for patients and visitors.

The announcement also confirmed the continuation of what was known until recently as the Children’s Hospice Grant.

Alexander Devine’s CEO and co-founder Fiona Devine previously called for the Government to provide reassurance that the grant would continue beyond 2025, after raising concerns over the impact it could have on services if it were not to carry on.

A further £26 million in revenue funding through the grant will be provided to hospices for children and young people for 2025/26, the Government has said.

Fiona said: “I was very pleased to hear the news yesterday from Health and Social care secretary Wes Streeting and his team that there has been a pledge by the Government for funding to Hospices.

“I await the information regarding eligibility criteria and how the funds will be distributed in the New Year.”

Rachael de Caux, chief executive at Thames Hospice, said: “We welcomed yesterday’s announcement of £100m of government funding for hospices across England over the next two years.

“This commitment is a vital first step towards easing the financial strain that hospices have been under for some time and ensuring that end-of-life care remains a priority within the healthcare system.

“We would like to thank Hospice UK for their tireless advocacy and support in securing this much-needed funding.

“We look forward to working through the details of what this announcement means for Thames Hospice, our community and the wider sector.

“We remain committed to ensuring these funds are used to deliver our essential services in the best possible environment.”

Labour Health Minister Karin Smyth was asked numerous times in the Commons on Thursday if the funding package would cover the rise in employer National Insurance contributions, but this was never directly answered.

Concerns have been raised over the impact of the rise on hospices, with Thames Hospice and Alexander Devine previously warning it will cost the charities tens of thousands of pounds.

Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds raised the issue this month when he asked Prime Minister Keir Starmer if he would commit to scrapping the rise for hospices during his debut question at Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs).

But he was told by Mr Starmer that funding arrangements would be ‘set out in due course’.

Reiterating the point at a Christmas present wrapping fundraiser for Thames Hospice in the Nicholsons Shopping Centre on Wednesday, Mr Reynolds said the Government needs to act sooner rather than later if a U-turn is planned.

The Maidenhead Fundraising Group for Thames Hospice has been helping to wrap Christmas gifts using donated paper and decorations to raise funds for the hospice.

Kathy Jupp, chair of the group, said: “[The money] is absolutely vital.

“It’s getting even harder now, so they need every bit we can do.

“What we raise is a drop in the ocean for them, but it does all help and it’s a greater awareness of the hospice.

The fundraiser has been taking place for several years and has seen £2,000 to £3,000 raised each year, she added.

Kathy is hoping this year’s amount will top last year’s £2,000 total.

Mr Reynolds said: “I’m disappointed that the Government has included hospices to be able to pay that NI rise.

“I’m really hopeful that they will change their mind, but I feel like if they want to, they really should be doing it now.”

Wes Streeting MP said: “This package will ensure they will be able to continue to deliver the compassionate care everyone deserves as they come to the end of their life in the best possible environment.”