Hospice UK responds to Welsh and Scottish Government’s funding announcements

Hospice UK says:

Regarding the Welsh Government announcement:

This represents an important step towards acknowledging the significant financial pressures hospices face, particularly the rising staffing costs driven by increases in NHS salaries, as well as broader cost of living pressures. Ensuring the sustainability of these vital hospice services in Wales is essential to supporting patients, families, and communities.

However, while this funding is a positive move, it does not address the immediate funding challenges Welsh hospices are facing.

Many hospices are still grappling with significant budget deficits this year, putting essential services at risk of reduction or closure.

In August 2024, our survey of Welsh hospices highlighted a forecasted £9.5m shortfall, with over 20% of hospices already reducing inpatient beds or services due to rising costs.

This announcement is an encouraging step forward, however, we urge the Welsh Government to support hospices with the immediate funding challenges they face this year and provide assurance that this recurring funding will form part of a long-term sustainable funding settlement.

Liz Booyse, Chair of Hospices Cymru said:

“We welcome the Welsh Government’s commitment to hospice care in Wales. It is vital that hospices can continue their crucial work, recognising the rising demand for services, increasing complexity of need, escalating salary costs, and the pressures of the cost of living.

“Hospices in Wales are expert providers of specialist palliative care and essential partners to the NHS, providing valued care and essential support to our patients and their families in our communities.

Welsh Government’s commitment to finding a sustainable solution is a positive first step in addressing the significant challenges we face.

However, there is still more to do to meet the financial pressures for this year and establish a fair and financially sustainable commissioning framework for the future.”

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Regarding the Scottish Government announcement

We urgently need clarity from Scottish Government as to what the £4 million referenced in the chamber is intended to cover.

There is an important principle that has been recognised that the state should meet increased salary costs faced by hospices when NHS salaries are increased. Again, we need clarity on what that will mean in practice for hospice care staff across all roles.

But the hospice sector is still facing a significant deficit this year. We urge Scottish Government to provide further in-year financial support to address the black hole left by years of statutory funding not keeping pace with rising costs.

Today’s announcement also does not appear to address the additional £2.5m increased cost of national insurance contributions facing the hospice sector.

Scottish Government also needs to deliver on its commitment for a new national funding framework for hospice care, to ensure that funding is fair and sustainable for the long-term.

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