HC Deb 31 October 1995 vol 265 cc94-5
14. Mr. Hutton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the funding of hospices. [38225]

Mr. Bowis

Our commitment to hospices and specialist palliative care services has been demonstrated by a sixfold increase in funding—from £8 million in 1990–91 to nearly £48 million in 1994–95. From 1994–95, that funding has been built into health authorities' general allocations.

Mr. Hutton

Is the Minister aware of the increasing financial pressure under which many hospices are operating? That is partly as a result of the fall in voluntary giving due to the national lottery. Will he take action to relieve that financial pressure by restoring the ring-fencing of hospice funding and ensuring that the 50:50 joint funding guidelines issued to health authorities are honoured?

Mr. Bowis

The hon. Gentleman refers to an overall target of 50:50 funding nationally. The change in the formula will enable local authorities to be more flexible in their approach. I think that he would join me in congratulating the voluntary effort that goes into financing and resourcing the hospice movement, both in his St. Mary's hospice, Ulverston—a subject which he and my right hon. Friend the Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Mr. Jopling) have raised with me—and in Trinity hospice in south London in my constituency. It is the combination of voluntary effort and the health service that enables those excellent facilities to continue. [Interruption.]

Madam Speaker

Order. The House must come to order. I can hear individual private conversations. I want to hear questions and answers.

Mrs. Peacock

May I ask my hon. Friend to look again at the possibility of departmental funding for children's hospices, such as Martin house in Yorkshire, as that funding would assist them in their excellent work?

Mr. Bowis

I am very happy to join my hon. Friend in supporting children's hospices and children's palliative and long-term and life-threatening illness care. I am sure that she is aware of our £5 million programme of support for children's hospices, which I am certain will help the movement to expand in that respect.