§ Mr. ReedTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about funding for the Rainbows Children's Hospice; and if he will make a statement. [121449]
§ Dr. LadymanI have received a large number of representations about funding for Rainbows Children's Hospice as part of a campaign being run by the Leicester Mercury newspaper. We recognise the valuable work undertaken by children's hospices, such as Rainbows, where they provide a key element in the care of children with life threatening illnesses and support for their families.
Government funding for children's hospices is available from primary care trusts (PCTs), which are responsible for deciding which health services the local population requires, and ensuring the provision of these services. It is for individual PCTs to decide the level of funding they allocate to children's palliative care services, including services provided by children's hospices.
I appreciate there may be a need for some pump priming funding to demonstrate the range and quality of care that children's hospices can provide. I am therefore pleased that the New Opportunities Fund has provided £48 million in support of palliative care projects for children in England—from which I understand Rainbows has received £650,000.