This unprecedented funding recognises the vital role that hospices play in supporting the NHS in its fight against COVID-19
Tracey Bleakley, CEO of Hospice UK
The Government today announced quarterly funding of £200 million to enable hospices to care for patients who would otherwise be in NHS hospitals.
Tracey Bleakley, CEO of Hospice UK, said:
"Hospice UK is delighted that the Government is providing up to £200 million of funding per quarter to hospices to help support the NHS and respond to the COVID-19 emergency.
"Hospices are on the frontline of providing care and support to almost a quarter of a million vulnerable people every year at the end of their lives.
"This unprecedented funding recognises the vital role that hospices play in supporting the NHS in its fight against COVID-19, and means hospices across the country can keep providing beds, specialist clinical care and staffing to relieve pressure on the NHS at this critical moment.
"Hospices depend on the generosity of their local communities to care for people and families affected by terminal illness. This government support is very welcome but it’s still important that people continue to support their local hospice.
"Hospice UK is working with the NHS to disburse this much-needed funding as soon as possible so we can continue to protect the most vulnerable people in our country during this national emergency."
ENDS
Notes to editors
Hospice UK is the national charity for hospice and palliative care. It works to ensure all adults and children living with a terminal or life-shortening illness receive the care and support they need, when they need it.
Hospice UK supports more than 200 hospices across the UK which care for more than 300,000 adults and children every year
For further information about hospice care visit our website www.hospiceuk.org or follow us on Twitter @hospiceuk
Get all the latest news from the hospice and palliative care sector, as well as patient stories, on ehospice UK at: www.ehospice.com/uk
