Judith welcomes £75 million cash boost for hospices to transform end-of-life care

1. Judith with Kate Dearden MP and Gareth Pierce, CEO of Forget Me Not Children's Hospice

2. Judith the Bradford Marie Curie Hospice Team

After advocating strongly on behalf of Marie Curie and Forget Me Not Children’s hospices and their work in Bradford South, local MP Judith Cummins has welcomed the announcement that families will see further improvements in end-of-life care as £75 million additional funding is released for hospices across the UK. The money will be used to deliver major upgrades and enhancements to facilities including separate family rooms, and communal lounges.

More than 170 hospices across England will receive a share of the funding – the largest cash injection ever – to ensure patients receive the highest quality end-of-life care in comfortable, dignified surroundings with upgrades including specially adapted beds, rooms, and technology.

Among the recipients of the cash boost are Marie Curie, whose Bradford hospice supports people across the city, and the West Yorkshire-based Forget Me Not Trust, who provide care and support to families and their children living with life-shortening illnesses.

They will receive £3,741,578 and £225,696 respectively.

This cash marks a further step in the delivery of the government’s Plan for Change, improving care in the community where people need it most.

Judith Cummins, Member of Parliament for Bradford South, said:

“Marie Curie and Forget Me Not undertake transformative work helping people in Bradford South, and they provide real comfort for people at the end of their lives and their families.

“I have recently visited both Marie Curie and Forget Me Not to see their compassionate and inspiring work for myself, and to hear about the challenges that they are facing as they continue to offer world-class care and support.”

“And, after advocating strongly for both hospices, I am pleased to see that they are amongst those set to receive further funding.

“This is good for Bradford South, and this is good for ensuring that people receive the end-of-life care that we all deserve.”

Gareth Pierce, Chief Executive of Forget Me Not Children's Hospice said:

"We’re delighted to hear that we will receive further government funding of £225,696 this year for capital investment.

This will make a real difference, helping us to improve and upgrade some of our facilities and infrastructure so that children and families continue to be safe and comfortable in our hospice.

It’s really encouraging that the government is recognising the significant financial pressures facing hospices like ours and we look forward to continuing the discussions around a much needed and more sustainable model of funding to protect our vital services in the long term."

Matthew Reed, Chief Executive of Marie Curie said: 

“Marie Curie welcomes this grant funding, which we will be investing in helping to ensure people living with terminal illness are well cared for across England - whether in our hospice buildings or in their own homes through improvements in use of digital technology.

We look forward to working with the government to ensure longer-term funding is put in place to ensure the best possible palliative care is sustainably available for everyone who needs it, including in their new neighbourhood health centres in the most deprived communities.”

Minister for Care Stephen Kinnock MP 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, relieving 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.”