Boost for hospice care

The government has announced a £50m boost to make physical improvements to hospices caring for older people nearing the end of life.

The funding was announced by health minister Rosie Winterton at a Marie Curie Cancer Care 'Delivering Choice' seminar.

The money will be spread over the next two years to help adult hospices undertake refurbishment, modernisation or enhancement work, enabling them to provide better facilities and services for patients nearing the end of life.

Marie Curie will receive £10 million to support their programme of major capital modernisation work.  A further £40 million will be made available through the 'Dignity in Care programme for Older People', although the improvements will benefit all patients using adult hospice facilities, irrespective of their age.

David Praill, Chief Executive, Help the Hospices, said, "I am delighted that we will be working with the Department of Health to ensure that the money from this programme brings the best possible benefits to hospice patients and their families."

Senior policy manager at Help the Aged, Jonathan Ellis, said "End of life care services are in dire need of improvement and this money will go some way to provide better care for those who spend their final days in a hospice."

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