The House of Commons held a special debate on funding for hospice-provided palliative care.
The debate was brought forwards by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hospices, led by Peter Gibson MP, and calls on integrated care boards (ICB’s) to urgently address funding issues.
Member of Parliament for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford, Steve Brine, voiced an important issue facing the sector that includes Naomi House and Jacksplace near Winchester.
Steve said; “The problem, on top of rising costs and inflationary pressures, it that my hospice which cares for children and young people are negotiating with no fewer than six ICBs for the same amount of grant. This is a challenge that many hospices face across multiple commissioning bodies and it’s complicating matters for them no end.”
Peter Gibson MP thanked Steve for his continuing support in his role as Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee, which held a topical session on Hospice funding the very next morning.
MP’s from across the House called for national and Government attention to resolve the issue.
Winding up the debate, Health Minister Helen Whateley MP said; “I will continue working with NHS England to ensure that palliative and end of life care is given the attention it deserves and needs so that it is considered important, just as we consider services that prolong life important, and that the NHS is held to account for doing that.”
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