Senedd unanimously backs sustainable hospice funding in Wales

The united backing from all parties in the Senedd reflects a clear recognition that hospices urgently need certainty around both immediate and long term funding to protect the vital care they provide to children, adults and families across Wales.

The debate, led by Ken Skates MS (Labour), called for Welsh Government to recognise the significant financial pressures facing hospices and to develop a long term national plan to secure the future of palliative and end of life care.

Members from across all political parties spoke powerfully about the value of hospice and palliative care, recognising the compassion, expertise and vital support hospices provide every day in communities across the country.

However, as demand grows, with palliative care needs expected to increase by 21% by 2050, hospice leaders are clear: without committed stable, long term funding, services will become increasingly difficult to sustain.

Across Wales, 15 hospices care for more than 20,000 people each year, providing compassionate, specialist care in people’s homes, communities and inpatient units.

Despite the vital role they play, hospices still rely on charitable fundraising for around two thirds of their income, alongside year by year Welsh Government grants with no guarantee they will continue. The vast majority of Welsh hospices are forecasting deficit budgets this year, with many forced to consider service reductions or delayed recruitment.

Hospice UK and Hospices Cymru estimate that an additional £30 million is needed to ensure hospices continue delivering vital services throughout the remainder of this Senedd term.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Mabon ap Gwynfor, said that he shared the goal of providing certainty for hospices, and that Welsh Government will pursue practical opportunities to support hospices with immediate pressures.

This includes holding a national summit on palliative and end of life care in March next year, bringing hospices, health boards and Welsh Government together to develop a clear plan for action to be delivered within this Senedd term.

Matthew Brindley, Policy and Advocacy Manager (Wales), Hospice UK, said: “The debate made clear that Members of the Senedd understand both the value of hospice care and the seriousness of the funding crisis. It was powerful to see the motion unanimously supported across the Senedd, a strong steer to government that action is needed quickly to give hospices and palliative care providers the certainty they need.

“Welsh Government has committed, through the Programme for Government, to address the key challenges in palliative and end of life care, and Plaid Cymru pledged in its manifesto to develop a sustainable funding model. Now is the moment to turn those commitments into action.”

Hospices across Wales are urging Welsh Government to act quickly by:

•    Providing £5.5 million of additional funding in 2026–27
•    Committing £8.2 million of recurring funding in the Draft Budget 2027–28
•    Developing a sustainable national hospice funding model in partnership with the sector
•    Tackling inequalities in access to palliative and end of life care, and developing a workforce plan

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This article was first published on the Hospice UK website.

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The following comment was received as the article went live:

Marie Curie Cymru Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Dr Tomos Evans, said: “Marie Curie Cymru welcomed the debate on palliative and end of life care in the Senedd and the broad agreement on the challenges faced by the sector. This must now be matched by concrete action from the Welsh Government so that people at the end of life can receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

“Good palliative care can have a profound impact on those living with a terminal illness and those close to them. But almost 1 in 3 adults in Wales are left without the care and support they need at the end of life. Our palliative and end of life care system is under immense pressure, and with demand for care growing, action is urgently needed.

“This should include 24/7 access to advice and support from palliative care professionals via 111, the roll out of palliative care paramedics in all parts of Wales – and the placement of a palliative care nurse in every community.

“These debates are a vital step in ensuring society as a whole has conversations around how we care for people at end of life. It’s a conversation that deserves continued attention this Senedd term.”

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