§ Dr. StoateTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will undertake a review into the way children's hospices are funded with special reference to the funding regime and level of funding given to adult hospices; and if he will make a statement. [31236]
§ Yvette CooperThe mechanism for obtaining health service funding is essentially the same for children's and adult hospices. There is a process of negotiation between hospice service providers and the commissioners of health services from areas served by individual hospices.
In some areas, services for children with life threatening illnesses are more developed than in others. Regional offices of the Department are working with health professionals and agencies to review current service provision for children and any gaps in provision with a view to a better strategic fit.
As we develop the National Service Framework for children we will also consider the needs of disabled children, including those whose disability is sadly, of a life threatening nature and for whom respite care at a children's hospice is the option of choice. In the meantime, and within the next two months, the New Opportunities Fund will invite applications for funding for projects in support of children with life threatening illnesses. Children's hospices are eligible to apply.
§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when his departmental budget received the new money for hospices announced in the Chancellor's last Budget; when he(a) intends to and (b) has delivered this to hospices, and in what form; and if he will make a statement; [32145]
791W(2) on what date the money he announced for hospices in his last Budget was provided to his Department's budget; [32141]
(3) when the new money for hospices announced in the last Budget will be paid directly to hospices. [32150]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 1 February 2002]: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's last Budget, on 8 March 2001, did not include an announcement of new money for hospices. Funding to increase investment in specialist palliative care was included in the resources to support implementation of the NHS Cancer Plan. The overall increased investment for implementing the Cancer Plan includes an additional £50 million for specialist palliative care by 2004. This investment is intended to help tackle inequalities in access to specialist palliative care and enable the national health service to increase their contribution to the cost hospices incur in providing agreed levels of service. This will mean that NHS investment in specialist palliative services will match that of the voluntary sector.
§ Mr. BeardTo ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons hospices for children receive less financial support per patient from Government than hospices for adults; and if he will take steps to bring funding for the two into line. [30835]
§ Yvette CooperChildren's hospices are a relatively new concept in the overall provision of services for children with life threatening illnesses. In some cases the role they play in local provision is not as well established as that of adult hospices. They need to consult with and establish links with the commissioners of health care provision within their catchment area in order to secure funding.
In order to assist this process, we issued guidance in February 1998, "Evaluation of the Pilot Project Programme for Children with Life Threatening Illnesses" which addresses the range of options available, including hospice care. In addition, regional offices of the Department have been asked to work with health professionals and agencies to identify current service provision and any gaps in this provision, with a view to encouraging a better strategic fit.
As we develop the National Service Framework (NSF) for children we will consider the needs of disabled children, including those whose disability is sadly of a life threatening nature and for whom respite care at a children's hospice is the option of choice. In the meantime, and within the next two months, the New Opportunities Fund will be inviting applications for funding for projects in support of children with life threatening illnesses. Children's hospices are eligible to apply.