East Kent Hospices to receive top-up for digital innovation and capital upgrades

Demelza Children’s Hospice and Pilgrims Adult’s Hospices are set to receive £269,588 and £22,000 respectively.

Labour’s Minister for Care, Stephen Kinnock has confirmed an extra £25 million in funding for children and adult hospices across the United Kingdom.

Pilgrims and Delmelza Childrens Hospices are part of the of 158 adult and children’s hospices set to benefit from this additional top up, which provides vital end-of-life care to patients in the hospice and in the community.

This money, now allocated to individual hospices by Hospice UK, will help fund urgent building repairs, better facilities and patient rooms, new outdoor spaces, and improved IT equipment.

It brings the total funding pot provided to hospices to a significant £125 million across England over the past two financial years – the largest investment in a generation.

The additional investment follows the Government’s commitment to a multi-year settlement of £80 million across England for children’s hospices over three years, providing certainty for vital services providing support for seriously ill children and families.

Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock said:

“I am delighted that this additional cash boost has now been allocated to hospices. I thank

Hospice UK for facilitating this so quickly, so hospices can swiftly contract any vital work and upgrades – making sure patients are being treated in the best possible environment.

“As Minister for Care, I am determined to transform palliative and end-of-life care by

implementing a modern services framework. This will reduce the postcode lottery so every patient and family can get the high-quality care they deserve.

“This Labour Government is delivering an NHS that is fit for the future including by shifting care out of hospitals and into the community.”

Sojan Joseph, MP for Ashford said:

“I know that Pilgrims and Demelza delivers crucial care and support in East Kent for children and adults with life-limiting conditions and their loved ones.

“I’m proud that this Labour Government is supporting palliative and end of life care and this announcement will make such a difference to Demelza and Pilgrims who provide such invaluable support in our community.

“I recently visited both hospices and saw the incredible work the staff are doing and I know how beneficial this funding will be for them.”

The Government will also publish a palliative care and end of life care modern service framework (MSF) this year will improve access, quality, and sustainability in the sector.

The MSF is being developed through engagement with the sector and will address the crucial challenges the sector has warned about, including avoidable hospital admissions, variation in local and regional provision of care in terms of both access and quality, workforce shortages and gaps in 24/7 palliative care provision.

ENDS