MPs praise the work of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices in debate on hospice funding

In a recent debate in Parliament, MPs voiced their concerns about the significant challenges facing hospices across the UK, stressing the urgent need for long-term sustainable funding and increased support for vital palliative care services. The debate included MPs from across our catchment area, with Shooting Star Children’s Hospices frequently referenced highlighting the important support that hospices provide for families in need.
Led by Paul Kohler MP (Liberal Democrat, Wimbledon), the debate underscored the critical importance of palliative and end-of-life care, with a special mention of the pressures faced by children’s hospices. Paul finished his opening statement with a moving quote from supported mum Fleur on how Shooting Star was continuing to support her family months after her son Toby died.
Munira Wilson MP (Liberal Democrat, Twickenham) referred to alarming data from Together for Short Lives, pointing out a £295 million shortfall in NHS spending on children’s palliative care. This has resulted in significant inequalities in care access, particularly through the NHS’s Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), some of which are unaware of how much they are spending on children’s palliative services. Despite the confirmation at the end of last year that the Children’s Hospice Grant would continue for another year (alongside a £100 million investment towards all hospices), the government also confirmed that the hospice sector would not be exempt from the rise in Employer National Insurance Contributions. Munira pointed out that this would cost Shooting Star £200,000 a year. She expressed concern that while the government’s recent pledge of £26 million in NHS funding for children’s hospices is welcome, there remains uncertainty about whether this will be ringfenced and available beyond the next financial year. The lack of long-term funding stability prevents hospices from planning effectively, making it harder to deliver the consistent care families need.
Gregory Stafford MP (Conservative, Farnham & Bordon) echoed these concerns, calling the variations in funding across different ICB areas a “postcode lottery”, with some regions contributing as little as £30 per person, while others offer more than £500. He praised the work done by hospices like Shooting Star, describing a recent visit to the hospice as a moving experience that showcased “selfless acts of kindness and care.” He too raised the fact that hospices will not be exempt from the national insurance rise, which further complicates their already challenging financial situation.
Dr Ben Spencer MP (Conservative, Runnymede & Weybridge) also reiterated calls for hospices to be exempted from the national insurance rise and mentioned his hopes to visit us soon. (Any MP or Counsellors interested in visiting please contact us)
Helen Maguire MP(Epsom & Ewell)also paid tribute to our work and to that of Princess Alice hospice in her constituency, highlighting concerns that shrinking hospice budgets meant transferring pressure onto the already stretched NHS.
In response Stephen Kinnock (Minister of State for Health & Social Care) reiterating that the government is committed to improving palliative care services, including children’s hospices. He noted that a roundtable discussion with key organisations, would take place next month to inform a 10-year health plan aimed at providing long-term sustainability for the sector.
Paul Farthing, Chief Executive of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices commented, “We are very grateful for the news that the Children’s Hospice Grant will be extended for another year and for the £100m injection into the wider hospice sector. However, as the parliamentary debate highlighted, we need the Government to commit to long-term and improved funding arrangements to hospices to recruit and retain the skilled staff we need to deliver our vital clinical, therapeutic, and family support services, both before and after the death of a child.”