Government Pledge to MP over Hospice funding

12.00.00am GMT Wed 8th Jan 2003

Health Ministers Hazel Blears has written to MP Vincent Cable to explain how it will honour pledges to spend £50m now on palliative care in hospices, like that being launched by the Shooting Star Trust.

Vincent Cable secured a debate in parliament last year on hospice funding and has pursued ministers through questions in parliament as to how it will honour its undertakings.

The Minister said that there will be more beds, consultants, and specialist nurses for hospices but hasn't yet made a commitment to the cost of building new hospices such as the Shooting Star.

Vincent Cable said: "all the pressure of publicity, and in parliament is now forcing the government to take hospice needs more seriously."

"This means that once the hospice in Hampton is established there is a good chance of it securing NHS funding to keep going."

"But the local community is still going to have to battle to raise the remaining £2 million of the £6m or so need to complete construction.