£75 million has been earmarked for hospices, which will allow for major upgrades and enhancements including separate family rooms, solar panels to reduce energy costs and communal lounges.
This funding will be shared between more than 170 hospices across England, making it the largest cash injection ever for hospices. This comes after a £25 million boost announced on Friday (18th July).
Hospices that will receive the funding include Wigan and Leigh, which used its funding to replace a flat roof which was leaking. It will use the additional funding to replace its heating system to create a more comfortable environment for patients, visitors and staff.
Other improvements already made at hospices across the country include major building works, modernising facilities, digital transformation, a boost to outreach services, and energy efficiency measures to improve sustainability.
This includes Garden House Hospice Care in Stevenage which refurbished its integrated procedures unit with eight new specially adapted beds and mattress, creating a separate room for patients’ close family members to spend the night when needed. Nurses were equipped with laptops, notes are now taken electronically, and nurses spend less time on administration and more on providing care.
This cash injection is for the financial year 2025-26 and will be distributed by Hospice UK to hospices.
Minister for care Stephen Kinnock said: “Hospices play a vital role in our society by providing invaluable care and support when people need it most.
"At this most difficult time, people deserve to receive the best care in the best possible environment with dignity.
"I have seen first-hand how our funding is already making a real difference to improving facilities for patients and families. This additional funding will deliver further upgrades, reliveing pressure on day-to-day spending.
"End-of-life care is crucial to our 10 Year Health Plan and our fundamental shift of moving more care out of hospital and into the community. We will continue to support hospices so they can deliver their vital work."
