Select Committee · Health and Social Care Committee
Hospice Funding
Status: Closed
Opened: 17 Apr 2024
Closed: 30 May 2024
Inquiry scope
MPs will consider whether funding for hospices is sufficient to meet demand. This topical session follows the committee’s major report on Assisted dying/Assisted suicide which urged the government to commit to additional funding, guaranteeing support for hospices in need. In evidence to the inquiry, the current funding model was described as ‘unsustainable’, risking hospice closures. Hospice funding relies primarily on charitable donations, with grant-in-aid funding from the NHS and government meeting only around a third of their costs. Reforms two years ago passed the commissioning of palliative and end-of-life care mainly to Integrated Care Boards. Children’s and other smaller hospices receive less statutory funding as a percentage of overall expenditure compared to larger adult hospices, with clinical services facing shortfalls. Among areas the committee will consider, the current state of hospice funding and changes needed to ensure hospices can meet future demand.Oral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Apr 2024 |
Formal Meeting (oral evidence session)
Dr Syed Qamar Abbas · St Clare's Hospice,
Mr James Cooper · Together for Short Lives,
Ruth Driscoll · Marie Curie,
Toby Porter · Hospice UK
|
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Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Syed Qamar Abbas · Medical Director | St Clare's Hospice | 1 |
| Mr James Cooper · Head of External Affairs | Together for Short Lives | 1 |
| Ruth Driscoll · Associate Director for Policy & Public Affairs England | Marie Curie | 1 |
| Toby Porter · Chief Executive Officer | Hospice UK | 1 |
Correspondence
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| Published | Direction | Letter |
|---|---|---|
| 22 May 2024 | — | Hospice UK on follow up from Hospice Funding oral evidence session 15.05.24 |