As hospices across England receive details of the much-anticipated cash injection from the government, North London Hospice is pleased to receive more than £280,000.

Ringfenced by the Department for Health and Social Care for capital expenditure, to go towards helping hospices to improve their buildings, equipment, and accommodation to ensure that patients continue to receive the best care possible, we have been awarded £283,640.

It was in December that an announcement was made by Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to allocate an initial £25million from government funds in what has been described as the biggest investment in a generation for hospices. This is part of a wider £100million funding package for the sector.

This initial allocation must be spent by 31 March 2025. A further funding allocation of £75m next financial year (2025/26) is expected, although the details of this and the amount per hospice are, to date, unknown.

Declan Carroll, Chief Executive of North London Hospice said: “We welcome the government’s support at a time when our sector is facing significant challenges. Whilst this funding announcement provides some relief, it can only be spent on capital projects and whilst this is needed, we cannot spend it on patient care.

“The last few years have presented us with significant financial challenges. Our costs have increased significantly, and our income has not kept up. We are committed to working with the government and our partners to find a sustainable solution for the future.

“Hospices like ours provide vital services, many of which the NHS cannot provide. Sustainable funding is key for our business-as-usual work and crucial if we are to achieve our vision of providing the best of life, at the end of life, for everyone.”

Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK, said: “The announcement before Christmas of £100m of additional funding for hospices in England was a significant boost, and today’s news of the allocation of the first £25m of this funding will be a huge relief for our members.

“Several years of rapidly rising costs have curtailed the extent to which hospices have been able to invest in their infrastructure for the longer term. This additional support will enable them to do so – and relieve the immediate pressures on hospice finances.

“The hospice sector is ready to support the government’s ambition to shift more care into the community. This couldn’t be more important for people approaching the end of life, when it’s vital to have the right care, in the right place.

“The greater stability provided by the government’s funding injection this year and next gives us a golden opportunity to now reform the palliative and end of life care system, so it’s fit for the future.”