Contributions to the work of children's hospices by Local Health Authorities

One of the misunderstandings many people have with regard to the funding of children's hospices is the idea that the hospices receive significant help from "Central Government" or "The NHS".

Perhaps because children's hospices need to employ many highly qualified and experienced nurses people jump to the conclusion that the salary costs of these vital staff are met from the same source as the local hospital nurses. This is not the case. Despite frequent assurances from various Ministers of Health that children with palliative care needs should receive the same support as adults - and directives from the NHS Executive - children's hospices continue to be neglected by Health Authorities.

The Association of Children's Hospices conducted a national survey of the contributions made by Local Health Authorities to children's hospices and found that, during 2000, the average contribution was around 5%. Hope House is representative of an average children's hospice and the table below shows the amount of moneyspent during 2000 on caring for children from each Health Authority area served by the hospice. Also shown is the contribution received from the appropriate Authority.

 
Health Authority
    
Cost of Care
of Children
Contribution
Percentage
Contribution

South Cheshire
 £272,000
£12,000
4.4%
Shropshire
    £554,000
£36,680
6.62%
Powys/Dyfed  
£132,000
£5,130
3.88%
North Wales
£343,000
£20,600
6.0%
Totals
£1,301,000
£74,410
5.22%

The average adult hospice receives a contribution of 32% of its costs from the Local Health Authority. If you think that this discrimination against terminally ill children is a scandal, perhaps you would support our case by writing to your MP and protesting. In June 2000 the Annual Conference of the National Federation of Women's Institute passed a resolution calling on the Government to put the funding situation of children's hospices on a more equitable footing with adult hospices. The irony is that adult hospice funding is also under pressure; they are also being taken for granted by the NHS and their service is not adequately funded.

Write to your M.P. and protest! Or even send him an E-mail.........