'Funding reforms for hospices are urgently needed'

Compton Care in Wolverhampton has received about £650,000 of funding for upgrades

Bosses at a hospice say changes to hospice funding are still "urgently needed" despite being one of 18 charities in the West Midlands to receive a government grant to help upgrade facilities.

Compton Care in Wolverhampton received £647,697, which must be used for capital projects under the criteria attached to the cash boost.

This would support improvements to facilities, grounds and digital infrastructure, according to the hospice's leaders.

However, the funding cannot be used to directly deliver clinical services, they said, and as a result would not address current financial challenges facing the hospice sector.

"Sustainable and fair funding reforms remain urgently needed," a spokesperson for Compton Care said.

The government announced this week it was providing £75m to be shared between about 170 hospices across England, which followed a £25m funding announcement in February.

"Hospices play a vital role in our society by providing invaluable care and support when people need it most," said minister for care Stephen Kinnock.

'Immense pressure'

"I have seen firsthand how our funding is already making a real difference in improving facilities for patients and families.

"This additional funding will deliver further upgrades, relieving pressure on day-to-day spending."

The announcement of capital funding for hospices was "welcome recognition" from the government of the "immense pressure" facing hospices and their urgent need for more financial support, according to Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK, a national body representing hospices.

"While this one-off investment has been very welcome, it's critical that we continue to work with government to secure long-term reform to ensure hospice care is there for everyone who needs it, whoever and wherever they are," he said.