§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review public funding of children's hospices; and if he will make a statement. [140384]
§ Yvette CooperChildren's hospices play an important role in supporting children with life threatening and limiting illnesses, and their families. The National Health Service has provision for funding children's hospices and we have recently announced an additional £50 million in new funding to expand specialist palliative care services for adults and children in the community. We are working with the children's hospice movement and other professional groups to define care packages which will be of most benefit to children and their families.
In addition the "Caring about Carers: A National Strategy for Carers" initiative is making available £140 million over three years to meet carer's needs including families who have a child with a life threatening condition.