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Harman agrees to parliamentary debate on hospice funding

Fundraising | Tania Mason | 1 Apr 2009

Harriet Harman MP has agreed to pursue the idea of hosting a topical debate in Parliament on funding for the hospice movement.

The Leader of the House of Commons (pictured) was responding to a comment from Labour MP Lindsay Hoyle, who said children’s hospices in her constituency were struggling to find sufficient funding in the credit crunch.

“It would be a good idea to have a topical debate on funding for the hospice movement,” Hoyle suggested.

Harman responded that the government had put £10m extra into funding for children’s hospices, but some of these had been hit by the collapse of Icelandic banks. She said the government was “acutely aware of the effect that might have on health services that are incredibly valued by families who need them”, and added: “I agree with the point and will look into the issue for a topical debate.”

Adult hospices in England receive around 31 per cent of their funding from the government, with children’s hospices receiving around half that. The rest is generated through charitable fundraising. Local independent charitable UK hospices collectively spend over £484m annually - a saving of £1.3m per day for the NHS.

One-third of hospices struggling in downturn

A recent survey of 86 hospice charities in the UK showed that a third of them are struggling to raise enough money in the current economic climate.

The poll, carried out by Help the Hospices and Children’s Hospice UK, showed that 36 per cent are expecting a funding shortfall this year, 37 per cent are expecting a funding shortfall next year and 16 per cent are considering cutting services, though only as a last resort.

David Praill, chief executive of Help the Hospices, said the picture is serious because “hospices have always struggled with funding difficulties and the economic situation makes difficult matters worse".

“However, it is important to remember that the picture across the UK is varied and some hospices will be running without any financial worries.”

The recently published End of Life Care Strategy by the Department of Health has pledged an additional £286m for end of life care in England over the next three years. However, the Strategy does not guarantee any additional funding for hospice care.

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