Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Hospice Services: South Devon

29 November 2023 · 5 other contributors · 4,460 words

Opened by Kevin Foster Con Torbay

Responding minister: Helen Whately

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Kevin Foster raised concerns about hospice services: south devon in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Kevin Foster expressed concerns about the financial stability of hospices in south Devon, citing a survey showing 96% of hospices budgeting for a deficit.
  • Foster noted significant regional variation in statutory funding, with London receiving an average of 43% and the south-west only 24%.
  • Foster asked the Minister to provide details on the 25 million children's hospice grant distribution for 2024-25 and requested an assessment of ICB funding impact on children's hospices.

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.

Opened the debate

Kevin Foster Con Torbay

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.

Other contributors (5)
  • 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

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.

▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy