§ Dr. SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what will be the impact on children's hospices of the new opportunities funds. [1843]
§ Mr. CabornThe new opportunities fund is currently developing a new grants programme for children's palliative care services. The programme, worth £48 million in England, will fund community, respite and bereavement services. It will provide grants to support new activities and to sustain existing good quality services which require a specific and time limited intervention. Children's hospices may be providers of these services, as may statutory sector providers and partnerships.
The new opportunities fund is currently consulting on the best way to deliver the programme and is required to commit the resources to projects by 2004.
The fund is also developing palliative care programmes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, although the split between services for children and services for adults has yet to be decided. The focus of the programme is currently the subject of consultation.