§ Mr. Keith BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the children's hospices in the North West region; and what grant from his Department was allocated to each children's hospice in each of the last five years. [69404]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 12 July 2002]: There are five children's hospices in the North West of England:
- Brian House, Blackpool;
- Derian House, Chorley;
- Zoe's Place, Liverpool (baby hospice);
- Francis House, Manchester; and
- Claire House, Wirral.
The Department has never awarded grants to children's hospices. The level of National Health Service funding is for primary care trusts to determine, as part of their health improvement programmes, in consultation with their local partners.
However, the New Opportunities Fund invited applications to participate in a £48 million children's palliative care programme in England, of which £15.3 million is specifically available to promote high quality provision within children's hospices. The closing date for applications was 16 August and applicants will be informed of the outcome in January 2003.