Boris Johnson unveils an additional £25 million funding for hospices in a bid to ease end-of-life care
The funding will come from existing NHS budgets and will alleviate some pressure on hospices which receive most of their financial support from the voluntary sector.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Seeing a loved one nearing the end of their life is one of the hardest things a family will ever experience, so it’s vital that we support our fantastic and hardworking hospice staff to deliver the highest quality palliative care.
“As Prime Minister I am making sure that today our hospices and palliative care services are given a £25 million boost to alleviate the everyday pressures faced on the frontline, helping to ensure they have the resources they need, when they need them.”
Downing Street said the money would help to keep hospices open, “improve the quality of end of life care”, and ensure that people “die as comfortably as possible” – as well as easing workforce pressures.
This additional funding comes at the same time as hospices are under acute financial pressure with, for the first time, one of Britain’s hospices having to close its doors this year.
According to the Government, hospices support more than 200,000 people with terminal or life-limiting conditions every year, as well as help “tens of thousands” of family members needing bereavement support.
Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson said:
“This extra £25 million is extremely welcome not only for people needing hospice care and their families, but also for a society which values the lives of people with terminal or life-limiting conditions.”
“In Oregon, which has had assisted suicide since 1997, over 25% of all those who end their own lives through medically assisted suicide, list “inadequate pain control” as one of their end of life concerns. Almost 45% of people list “burden on family, friends/caregivers” as a concern.”
“Both of these problems can be greatly alleviated by effective and compassionate hospice care. If we want Britain to remain a country free from assisted suicide and euthanasia, one of the most effective things that can be done is to ensure a strong hospice system and excellent end of life care.”
