§ 31. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will increase funding for hospices to compensate for higher national insurance contributions. [52802]
§ Yvette CooperThe Government are making an extra £50 million available for specialist palliative care, including hospices by 2004. This investment must be based on locally agreed strategic plans for palliative care. We are monitoring progress in providing this extra investment. We would expect the national health service to take all matters including national insurance contributions into consideration when deciding the level of funding for hospices.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of in-patient hospice services are provided by the independent charitable sector. [48722]
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§ Yvette CooperAbout 80 per cent. of all in-patient specialist palliative care beds are provided in voluntary hospices.