Hospices in Northern Ireland receive £1.6m emergency funding package

Hospice UK welcomes the announcement of additional funding for hospices across Northern Ireland, following discussions with the Health Minister earlier this week about the growing financial pressures facing the sector. 

The funding package includes £1.1 million in one-off funding, shared across Northern Ireland’s four adult hospices, alongside £500,000 for Northern Ireland Children's Hospice.

The funding will provide important short-term relief for hospices delivering vital palliative and end of life care to people and families across Northern Ireland. 

Aileen Morton, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Hospice UK, said: 

“Following our meeting with the Minister earlier this week, where we set out the significant pressures facing hospices across Northern Ireland, this additional funding is a welcome first step and recognition of the challenges the sector is facing. 

“Hospices provide compassionate, specialist care for people at the end of life and support for families at the most difficult time in their lives. This funding will help alleviate some immediate pressures and support hospices to continue delivering these vital services. 

“However, one-off funding alone cannot address the longer-term challenges facing hospice care. Hospices need to plan for the future with confidence. The Department of Health must work urgently with hospices to identify a fair and sustainable funding solution that protects hospice care for everyone who needs it, now and in the future. 

“We welcome the Minister’s commitment to work constructively with the sector on a long-term solution, in line with the recommendations of the Health Committee inquiry and look forward to engaging in those discussions in the months ahead.” 

Hospices are a key part of the delivery of specialist palliative care services across Northern Ireland and without sustainable investment, rising demand and increasing costs will continue to place services under significant strain.