AFTER advocating hard on behalf of local hospices, Harlow MP Chris Vince welcomed the announcement that families will see further improvements in end-of-life care as the Labour government releases £75 million for hospices to deliver major upgrades and enhancements to facilities, including separate family rooms, and communal lounges.

More than 170 hospices across England will receive a share of the funding – the largest cash injection ever – to ensure patients receive the highest quality end-of-life care in a comfortable, dignified surroundings with upgrades including specially adapted beds, rooms, and technology.

St Clare West Essex Hospice Care Trust will receive £434,835. Chris Vince said the funding ‘will make a real difference for hospices in our community that do such an important job supporting local families’.

This cash marks a further step in the delivery of the government’s Plan for Change, improving care in the community where people need it most.

Chris Vince MP, MP for Harlow, said:

“I’m so pleased that this Labour Government has allocated such important funding to our hospices.

“St Clare’s Hospice provide such invaluable support in our community for people with life-limiting conditions and their loved ones, and this government funding will make such a real difference.

“Every time I have visited the hospice in Hastingwood, I am taken aback by the dedication of the staff, the care for the patients, and the comfortable environment. I hope this funding will go some way to improving, securing, and helping their care and provision.”

Minister for Care Stephen Kinnock said:

“Hospices play a vital role in our society by providing invaluable care and support when people need it most.

“At this most difficult time, people deserve to receive the best care in the best possible environment with dignity.

“I have seen first-hand how our funding is already making a real difference to improving facilities for patients and families. This additional funding will deliver further upgrades, relieving pressure on day-to-day spending.

“End-of-life care is crucial to our 10 Year Health Plan and our fundamental shift of moving more care out of hospital and into the community. We will continue to support hospices so they can deliver their vital work.”

Other improvements already made at hospices across the country include:

• Major building works and modernised facilities

• Digital transformation to improve data sharing between healthcare providers

• Development of outreach services to extend care beyond physical buildings

• Creation of more welcoming spaces for families, including outdoor areas

• Energy efficiency measures to improve sustainability

The new cash injection is for the financial year 2025/26 and will be distributed by Hospice UK to hospices. Hospices have been allocated a pot of funding and will be able to proceed with upgrades, invoicing Hospice UK once work has been completed.