ACORNS CHILDREN'S HOSPICE GRANT MEANS CHILDREN'S PALLIATIVE CARE BEDS CAN RE-OPEN - LORELY BURT
October 31, 2006 12:00 AM
Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt has welcomed the announcement of a £27million government grant over three years for children's hospices revealed in a parliamentary statement yesterday. The annual grants awarded to 35 palliative care services included a £1million grant for three Acorns children's hospices in Walsall, Birmingham and Worcester, serving the West Midlands region.
Lorely Burt MP said:
"I am delighted that government have finally responded to the crisis in funding for children's hospices around the country. The grant for Acorns will mean that staff can be re-appointed and beds closed last March following the loss of lottery grants can again be made available for use.
"But there is still a clear disparity between government support for adult and children's hospices, with adult hospices receiving on average one third of funds from taxes, and children's hospices like Acorns, even with the £1m annual grant, receiving only 10% of their running costs.
"This means that Acorns are still faced with raising £10million each year to avoid closing beds that are so desperately needed.
"Government has made a welcome start, but the long term aim must be to secure parity of funding with adult hospices, with State funding for one third of running costs.
"After all, there are far fewer children's hospices, so it would cost relatively little extra to ensure that as many children as possible receive the very best palliative care.
"A review into future funding was announced as part of yesterday's ministerial statement. The review will be led by Sir Alan Craft and Ms Sue Killen. I will be making a submission for fair funding for children's hospices, and would encourage any residents in Solihull who have experiences or concerns to share, to write to the review team at childpalliativecare@dh.gsi.gov.uk "
The review should be completed by spring 2007.
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