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Hospice Services: South Devon
29 November 2023
Lead MP
Kevin Foster
Torbay
Con
Responding Minister
Helen Whately
Tags
NHSSocial CareEconomyTaxationEmploymentClimateEnergy
Word Count: 4460
Other Contributors: 5
At a Glance
Kevin Foster raised concerns about hospice services: south devon in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Foster asked the Minister to confirm how much of the £25 million children's hospice grant each children's hospice will receive in 2024-25, when they will receive it and how. He also wanted an assessment of the impact of integrated care board funding on children's hospices and a direction from the Government for ICBs to work with neighbours on planning and funding these services.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Kevin Foster expressed concerns about the financial stability of hospices in south Devon, citing a Hospice UK survey revealing that 96% of hospices were budgeting for a deficit. He mentioned significant regional variation in statutory funding, with London receiving an average of 43% and south-west only 24%. Additionally, he highlighted increasing cost pressures on Rowcroft Hospice due to staff costs and utilities bill increases, while NHS funding has only increased by 8% over five years. Foster also noted the growing demand for palliative care services as more people live longer, with estimates suggesting a 25-41.2% increase in patients needing such care by 2040.
Anthony Mangnall
Con
Fylde
He thanked the hon. Friend for calling the debate and commended Rowcroft Hospice, encouraging Government funding to support a collaborative approach in hospice care.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
He commended the hon. Member for securing the debate, noting Horizon House in Belfast as an example of a children's in-patient unit and highlighting the importance of voluntary work alongside clinical funding.
Peter Gibson
Lab
Bishop Auckland
As co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on hospice and end of life care, he congratulated the hon. Friend for securing the debate and highlighted the need for integrated care boards to properly commission palliative care services.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
He thanked the hon. Member for securing the debate, expressing condolences and discussing the need for palliative care nurses to have a space to operate as a team.
Tonia Antoniazzi
Lab
Leicester West
Tonia Antoniazzi highlighted the importance of hospice at home services, noting that many people prefer to be cared for in their own homes rather than in a hospital or hospice setting.
Government Response
Helen Whately
Government Response
The Minister thanked the hon. Member for Torbay for securing the debate on hospices in South Devon, sharing personal experiences of hospice care. She noted the importance of hospices and ICBs' role in commissioning end-of-life services under the Health and Care Act 2022. The Minister acknowledged financial pressures on hospices from rising energy costs but highlighted available support schemes such as the energy bills discount scheme, VAT reduction, and climate change levy exclusion. She discussed funding for staff pay uplifts through NHS England's guidance and mentioned plans to visit Rowcroft hospice in Devon. Additionally, she assured the continuation of the £25 million children's hospice grant for 2024-25.
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Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.