§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the national lottery on raising funds to support the development and operation of the hospice movement and 593W hospices; what plans he has to ensure the financial security of hospices; and if he will make a statement. [9281]
§ Mr. HoramThere is as yet no conclusive evidence concerning the impact of the national lottery on the fund-raising activities of voluntary hospices. The National Council for Hospice and Specialist Palliative Care Services and the National Association of Hospice Fund-raisers, are continuing to keep this under review. Three hospices in England have, however, benefited from the national lottery fund.
To help promote hospices' financial security, Government funding for hospices and specialist palliative care services has, since 1994–95, been built into health authorities' general allocations and health authorities have been encouraged to enter into three year rolling contracts for the purchase of specialist palliative care services.