Acorns Children's Hospice Grant Means Worcester Beds Can Re-Open

5.56.45am GMT Wed 1st Nov 2006

West Worcestershire's Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Richard Burt, has welcomed the announcement of a £1million government grant for Acorns Children's Hospices, including the Hospice in Bath Road, Worcester, which will receive £350,000 this year. The annual grant will extend for three years and will enable Acorns to recruit six new specialist staff and re-open four beds that were closed following the loss of lottery grants in March.

Richard Burt said: "I am delighted that government have finally responded to the crisis in funding for children's hospices around the country. The grant for Acorns will mean that staff can be re-appointed and all ten beds - that are in constant demand - can again be made available for use.

"But there is still a clear disparity between government support for adult and children's hospices, with adult hospices receiving on average one third of funds from taxes, and children's hospices like Acorns, even with the £1m annual grant, receiving only 10% of their running costs.

"This means that Acorns are still faced with raising £10million each year to avoid closing beds that are so desperately needed.

"The total of £27m grant aid to 35 children's hospice services spread over the next three years is a welcome start, but the long term aim must be to secure parity of funding with adult hospices, with State funding for one third of running costs.

"After all, there are far fewer children's hospices, so it would cost relatively little extra to ensure that as many children as possible receive the very best palliative care.

"A review into future funding was announced in yesterday's ministerial statement in parliament. The review will be led by Sir Alan Craft and Ms Sue Killen. I will be making a submission for fair funding for children's hospices, and would encourage any residents in the county who have experiences or concerns to share, to write to the review team at childpalliativecare@dh.gsi.gov.uk. The review should be completed by spring 2007.