Everyone at Willen Hospice was very grateful to hear yesterday’s announcement from the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, of an extra £100 million of funding for hospices. This recognition by the government of the vital role hospices play in providing compassionate, high-quality end-of-life care is an important first step in moving to a more sustainable future for hospice care in our country.
Our thanks go to Hospice UK for securing this additional support for our sector.
We’re also grateful to our MPs, Callum Anderson, Emily Darlington and Chris Curtis, for actively championing our cause, and for their messages of support on social media yesterday.
We eagerly await specific detail on how the £100 million will be allocated across more than 200 hospices nationally, and look forward to working this through with our Hospice UK colleagues in the new year.
This injection of money is so welcome. However, as one of the most poorly funded hospices in the country, we have to remain fully focused on continuing to work with our local Integrated Care Board (ICB), who allocate NHS funding. We need to ensure that this money is part of a journey to fairer, equitable funding for the community of Milton Keynes in the long term.
These discussions are progressing well and we’re pleased to say that our Chief Executive, Kate Broadhurst, will be meeting senior members of the ICB in January. Following this meeting, we’ll share an update with you.
Thank you all for your continued support, allowing us to provide our vital care for local people and their loved ones.
