Hospiscare welcomes Palliative Care Funding Review

Local charity Hospiscare has welcomed a new report which could herald the biggest shake-up of hospice funding for a generation.

Hospiscare today said the new Palliative Care Funding Review was an important first step towards fair and sustainable funding for end of life care. Now campaigners and carers want to see the government deliver on the promise of reform.

“This report is a move towards fairness for all,” said Hospiscare’s chief executive Glynis Atherton. “But we’re not there yet. At the moment our charity receives from government only a quarter of the money we need to support patients locally.

“We welcome the recommendations that more patients should have access to the care they need.What we want to see now is immediate collaboration and discussions to ensure that these goals are achieved.”

Glynis Atherton said it was key that the Review aimed to define where NHS responsibility ended and the voluntary sector began.

David Praill, chief executive of Help the Hospices added: “For too long the voluntary sector has filled major gaps in the provision of palliative care in the UK and it’s about time local hospices and other charities were recognised for the vital role they play.”