Victoria Collins MP: Hospices need a better funding deal

Victoria Collins MP, Lib Dem MP for Harpenden and Berkhamsted, joined hospice leaders and campaigners at Downing Street to support calls for urgent action to address the growing funding crisis facing hospices across the UK.

As part of the national Fair Funding Now campaign, a letter was handed in to 10 Downing Street urging the Government to provide sustainable long-term funding for hospice services facing rising costs, increasing demand and widening funding gaps.

The issue has also been raised locally following Victoria's recent visit to Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care, where Chief Executive Tom O'Connor highlighted the financial challenges facing the hospice sector and the impact on end-of-life and palliative care services.

Victoria Collins MP said: "Hospices provide invaluable care and support to patients and their loved ones at some of the most difficult moments in their lives. I want to ensure Downing Street hears our call for urgent action to address hospice funding pressures, which are directly affecting families in my constituency and placing vital services under increasing strain.

"Patients and families deserve the certainty that these services will continue to be there when they need them most. Hospices serving my area have warned that without additional support, financial pressures could reduce capacity and place even greater pressure on NHS services.

“As a Lib Dem, I want the Government to urgently work with the hospice sector to deliver a sustainable funding model that protects care now and for the future."