Two Cambridgeshire hospices are to receive huge funding boosts - but their chief executives say long-term support is vital for their futures.
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and Arthur Rank Hospice Charity are to get more than £220,000 each from the Government's Department of Health and Social Care.
The grant is part of an initial allocation of £100 million for hospices across England, pledged by Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, just before Christmas.
The Government says the extra money - allocated through Hospice UK from the department - will enable hospices to buy new medical equipment, upgrade facilities for patients and families, undertake building refurbishments and improve technology.
News of additional government funding has been described as a welcome boost by EACH Chief Executive Kevin Clements.
He added that it is specifically for capital projects and EACH’s first allocation is £222,453.
Mr Clements welcomed the news but also called for a long-term, sustainable statutory funding model, to allow for future planning.
“We welcome the news of the allocation of additional government funding for hospices,” he said.
“This is specifically for capital projects, and I’m delighted to say the funds will be invested in our infrastructure. This extra funding also frees up existing funds to support our increasingly high day-to-day running costs.
“This, of course, is for the short to medium term only, and we still call for a long-term, sustainable statutory funding model to allow longer-term planning – this couldn't be more important for the families we care for.
“Last year, we only received 15 per cent of our total income from the government, and with rising costs and growing demand for hospice services, the public’s donations and fundraising are more important to us than ever.”
EACH has three hospices, including one at Milton, just outside Cambridge.
The charity is currently caring for 448 life-threatened children and young people, as well as supporting 388 family members. This includes parents, siblings and grandparents.
This year alone, EACH needs to raise £7.5 million from donations and fundraising and £8.7 million in Retail income from its network of 52 shops.
Sharon Allen, CEO of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, added: “We are really grateful that the government has recognised the current situation that hospices are in and provided this additional funding to us.
“This specific grant relates to capital expenditure and will allow us to move forward with several projects and further enhance the outstanding care we give.
“We appreciate the government's acknowledgement that hospices need to have sustainable, long term support.
“Each year, we care for over 3,800 patients which costs over £13 million annually, and we are still very heavily reliant on the generosity of our local community to help us provide hospice care that everybody in our county needs now, and forever.”
Minister for Care Stephen Kinnock said: "This is the largest investment in a generation to help transform hospice facilities across England.
"From upgrading patient rooms to improving gardens and outdoor spaces, this funding will make a real difference to people at the end of their lives.
"Hospices provide invaluable care and support when people need it most and this funding boost will ensure they are able to continue delivering exceptional care in better, modernised facilities."
Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK, said: "The hospice sector is ready to support the government’s ambition to shift more care into the community.
"This couldn’t be more important for people approaching the end of life, when it’s vital to have the right care, in the right place."
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