Government cash promised for local children’s hospices

Government cash is being made available this year to help develop children’s hospices and other services for seriously ill children.

Around £30 million pounds will go into local projects to help terminally ill children and the networks that support them.

The announcement came from Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, who said:  “Every child that is seriously or terminally ill should be properly supported. That’s why we are investing an extra £30 million in the coming year to support local projects. While this funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to improving children’s palliative care, it is only part of the picture.

“In the long-run we need to introduce a per-patient funding system for all hospices and other providers of palliative care so that proper support for sick children and adults can develop.”