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Hospice Faces Funding Crisis Amid Rising Demand
16 Jun
Summary
- Children's hospice in Huddersfield seeks better NHS funding.
- Rising operational costs outpace charity's current income.
- Government plans new framework for palliative care.
The Forget Me Not Hospice in Huddersfield, which supports children with life-shortening illnesses, has stated a pressing need for increased NHS funding. The charity is experiencing a rise in demand for its comprehensive services, which range from prenatal support to end-of-life care and bereavement counselling for around 180 local families. However, its current income is insufficient to meet escalating operating costs, with the hospice's outlay projected at £7 million for 2026/2027, 80% of which must be self-generated.
Recent research by Together for Short Lives reveals that children's hospices are under significant financial strain, with average costs increasing by 18% while NHS trust funding has not kept pace. A substantial funding gap of £310 million for children's palliative care has been identified. In response, the Department for Health and Social Care has committed £125 million to improve hospice facilities and £80 million for children's hospices over the next three years. A new government framework, expected in autumn 2026, aims to modernize palliative and end-of-life care by shifting services into the community, with hospices playing a vital role.
