§ Mr. ReedTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to end the differences in funding for children's hospices and adult hospices in Leicestershire; [88629]
(2) what guidance he has issued to PCTs in their purchase of palliative care in children's hospices; [88630]
(3) if he will make available some of the additional funding he has allocated for palliative care to children's hospices. [886271
§ Ms BlearsGuidance was issued in 1998 entitled "Evaluation of the Pilot Project Programme for Children with Life Threatening Illnesses". This evaluation included the role of children's hospices. Further consideration will be given to this role during the preparation of the national service framework for children. It will also be highlighted through the New Opportunities Funding for children's palliative care projects— and I understand this funding will be available shortly. Purchasing decisions for health care services, including palliative care services, will however remain a matter for local primary care trusts. Hospices serving the needs of either children or adults need to engage with PCTs and negotiate funding for services provided, from that which has been made available.