'Uncertainty' over funding for children's hospices

Councillors Hannah Cooper and Karen Lewing said hospices needed financial security

Hospices providing care for dying and seriously ill children are facing "uncertainty" because of a lack of clarity over funding, councillors have said.

The concerns were raised by members of Worcester City Council after Acorns Children's Hospice warned ministers that vital funding would run out in eight months.

Earlier this year, the government said hospices in England would receive £100m of government funding over two years to improve end-of-life care.

Councillor Hannah Cooper, of the Green Party, said charitable donations alone could not replace the need for long-term public funding.

"Children's hospices deserve financial security, not this uncertainty," she said.

Her fellow Green Party councillor Karen Lewing agreed and said the issue was "about compassion".

She added: "When local families are facing the unimaginable, they need to know that care will be there – not just this year, but every year.

"That means proper funding, guaranteed by the government."

Acorns created this artwork of Sir Keir Starmer made from the hands of dying and seriously ill children

The charity, which runs hospices in Worcester, Walsall and Birmingham, previously said it could be forced to cut services without further support.

Acorns received £2.2m from the Children's Hospice Grant but said the money would run out in March 2026, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The hospice recently revealed an artwork of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, which was made entirely using the handprints of children who were dying or seriously ill.

The painting, called Hands for Hope, was created as part of its urgent call for further financial support from the government.

'Sustainable funding'

Chief executive Trevor Johnson said Acorns feared it could be forced to turn away seriously ill children for the first time in its 37-year history.

"One thing is certain, without this funding we will have to cut services," he added.

"Our message to the Prime Minister and the government is simple - it's now in your hands who has the power to ensure that all children's hospices, including Acorns, receive long-term sustainable funding."

The government said in November hospices would get help to cope in the face of rising National Insurance costs and a drop in government funding.

In December, it said hospices in England would receive £100m of government funding over two years to improve end-of-life care.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.