HC Deb 13 January 2003 vol 397 cc502-3W
Mr. Reed

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much statutory funding has been paid to Rainbows Children's Hospice in 2001–02. [88628]

Mr. Lammy

For the year 2001–02 Leicestershire Health Authority allocated £26,000 to the Rainbows Children's Hospice. This funding was provided under Section 64, of Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, providing a grant to a voluntary group for respite, palliative and terminal care for children.

The Department's view on funding in support of children's hospices is that this should be through negotiation between the hospices, primary care trusts and social services departments, which are responsible for delivering services locally and are best placed to work in partnership with organisations like hospices and to agree an appropriate level of funding.

There is, however, a case for pump priming these negotiations. We expect this to be facilitated through the New Opportunities Fund, which has a budget of £48 million to support projects for children with life threatening illness, including children's hospice respite services. £15.3 million has been earmarked specifically for hospice care. Awards will be available next year.