Children's Hospices (Hansard, 7 February 1996)

§ Dr. Godman
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what studies he has(a) commissioned and (b) analysed and evaluated on health services for children with terminal illnesses; and if he will make a statement. [12581]

§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
The Government acknowledge that there is sufficient demand to justify the establishment of a children's hospice in Scotland. Information is not collected centrally which would make it possible to establish the exact number of children with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition who would benefit from access to a children's hospice. The opening of Rachel house, Kinross, should enable a more accurate estimate to be made of the need for such a facility.

§ Dr. Godman
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is his policy that children's hospices be eligible for matching funding from the national health service. [12582]

§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
Access to public funding for the health care work of the children's hospice in Scotland should be through the mechanism of contracts with health boards, based on each board's assessment of need.

§ Dr. Godman
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children were cared for in each of the past five years in children's hospices; and if he will make a statement. [12584]

§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
There has not been a children's hospice in Scotland during the last five years. Information about the number of children from Scotland cared for in children's hospices in England during that period is not collected centrally.

§ Dr. Godman
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hospices for children are registered; and what financial assistance they have received in each of the past three years. [12583]

§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
None, although it is expected that Rachel house, Kinross, will be registered shortly.
The Scottish Office has contributed £250,000 in this and the two previous financial years to the Children's Hospice Association Scotland in respect of Rachel house, 225W Kinross. In addition, my right hon. Friend recently announced a further contribution of £500,000 over the next two financial years.