£60 million boost for hospices

Hospices are to benefit from up to £60 million of funding to help improve the quality of care for people nearing the end of their lives.

The care services minister Paul Burstow said: “We are making this investment because we want hospices to be able to provide dignified, compassionate, high quality care and support to people and their families at what is a difficult time in their lives.”

Adult and children’s hospices will be able to apply for funding for a range of projects, including:

* Improvements to day-therapy facilities, including providing transport services;

* Developing or improving out-reach services to support people in their own homes;

* Refurbishment of inpatient and visitor areas, including improvements to bedrooms and bathrooms and providing overnight facilities for families;

* Improvements to mortuary and bereavement facilities; and

* Improvements to gardens and outside spaces so patients can spend time outdoors.

The principal requirements are that projects deliver improvements that directly benefit patients, have a tangible impact on the physical environment and provide value for money.

Paul Burstow, said: “Our surroundings at the end of our lives play a critical role in our wellbeing.

“This money will help hospices all over the country make improvements such as redesigning rooms or putting in place facilities to help people remain independent.” 

Details on how and when hospices can apply for the capital grant scheme are to be announced shortly.