After the Prime Minister committed an additional £25 million for hospices and palliative care services this summer, today the regional breakdown of how the money will be allocated has been announced. In her role as Minister of State for Care at the Department of Health and Social Care, Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage, made the announcement at Oral Questions this morning. It has been annouced that Hampshire and Isle of Wight STP will receive a total share of £770 000 in additional non-recruitment funding.
This includes £83 000 for Fareham and Gosport CCG and £94 000 for the Portsmouth CCG to support vital treatment and support for the community.
The hospice care sector currently supports more than 200 000 people with terminal and life-limiting conditions in the UK each year, as well as support their families with bereavement support.
Local MP and Minister of State for Care, Caroline Dinenage, commented:
“We need to ensure that those with terminal or life-limiting conditions are fully supported and have the opportunity to live life comfortably and to the fullest.
“I am pleased to see that Gosport, Fareham and Portsmouth will receive this extra money to help support the local community through the great work of organisations such as The Rowans. NHS, charitable, voluntary staff work incredibly hard and these additional funds will help them ensure that patients and their families have great care and support during the toughest of times.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“Seeing a loved one nearing the end of their life is one of the hardest things a family will ever experience, so it’s vital that we support our fantastic and hardworking hospice staff to deliver the highest quality palliative care.
“As Prime Minister I am making sure that today our hospices and palliative care services are given a £25 million boost to alleviate the everyday pressures faced on the frontline, helping to ensure they have the resources they need, when they need them.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said:
“End of life is vitally important, and our NHS is committed to caring for you from cradle to grave. This cash boost will protect our precious hospices and palliative care services so people across the country will have the best, most personalised and dignified choices when they die.
“We should expect the highest quality support, so we can spend the last days of our life with our loved ones, dying with dignity in the way that we want to.”